opinion: together we can stop the spread of measles in alberta
together, we can stop the spread of measles and protect the health of alberta’s children, families and communities.
3 minute read
(from left to right) health minister adriana lagrange, interim chief medical officer of health dr. sunil sookram, and central zone medical officer of health dr. ifeoma achebe provide an update on the measles outbreak in the province during a press conference at the alberta legislature in edmonton on monday, may 5.
david bloom
/
postmedia
measles is spreading — not just in other parts of the world, but right here in alberta. this disease, once rare in canada thanks to measles vaccines, is now circulating in several areas of our province. it’s a highly contagious illness that spreads quickly, especially in close-knit communities where people gather frequently and where immunization rates are lower.
as of noon on wednesday, alberta has reported 287 measles cases, with 87 per cent of those cases confirmed in the central and south zones. these are the same regions where immunization coverage is lower, which can be due to concerns about vaccines, questions about their safety and effectiveness, misinformation or deeply held cultural beliefs.
whatever the reason, when fewer people are protected, measles can spread more easily — and the complications are serious. the measles virus weakens the immune system, making those who catch measles more susceptible to serious complications. lung infections (pneumonia), swelling of the central nervous system (brain/spinal cord), and death are at risk, especially for the unvaccinated. those at the highest risk are children under five, pregnant women, and people with
weakened immune systems.
weakened immune systems.
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measles often hits young children the hardest. of the 287 confirmed cases in alberta, 238 are in children under the age of 18. one case in a daycare or preschool setting can quickly lead to an outbreak of many. babies under 12 months are especially vulnerable because they’re too young to be fully immunized and rely on the people around them to help keep them safe.
alberta’s public health teams are taking further action to do just that. a new early dose of measles — containing vaccine is also available for infants six to 11 months of age in the north, central, and south zones — offered in addition to the routine doses at 12 and 18 months. infants traveling to these areas from other zones may be eligible as well. find more information on vaccine eligibility at alberta.ca/measles.
the bottom line is that these cases and outbreaks are avoidable. please, make sure your child is immunized against measles. for those who choose not to, it’s important to understand that the risk of illness and transmission in alberta is now the highest it’s been in 25 years.
as health-care providers, we want to keep your family healthy and safe, but we can’t do it without your help. if your child is sick with measles symptoms, please keep them home and call a health provider or 811 for advice. to make it even easier, we’ve launched a dedicated measles hotline at 1-844-944-3434. this hotline will connect you to a health professional that can offer guidance, help accessing immunization records, book an immunization appointment or locate the nearest public health clinic.
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public health teams are here to help. since the start, we’ve worked closely with ahs and local leadership to manage the outbreak response and support affected communities. that collaborative effort has led to a 67-per-cent increase in doses administered since march 16, in comparison to the same time last year. but we still have more work to do.
we’re making sure families have the facts and know what they can do to protect themselves and others. starting next week, we will launch a new campaign to raise measles awareness and vaccine access, don’t get measles. get immunized. this campaign will be across radio, print, digital, and social media, in 14 languages. furthermore, a toolkit is being developed to share with daycare providers to ensure parents have the information they need to protect their children.
we understand that vaccine decisions are deeply personal. we’re not here to pressure, but to inform — and to support families in making choices that prioritize their health and safety.
for families who choose to immunize, now is the time.
the vaccine is readily available, free, highly effective at preventing infections and complications, and has a long-proven record of safety. check your immunization status and if you’re not up to date, get immunized to protect the people you love. if you’re unsure, call the hotline. alberta’s health system is ready to help you take the next step.
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together, we can stop the spread of measles and protect the health of alberta’s children, families and communities.
dr. sunil sookram is alberta’s interim chief medical officer of health.
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