Public health officials with Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care are advising Canada is now experiencing the largest measles outbreak since measles was declared as eliminated in 1998. Over 90 per cent of cases across Canada are unimmunized or have unknown vaccination status, and nine per cent of cases have been hospitalized.

Measles elimination in Canada was a result of a high percentage of people receiving the measles vaccine. Throughout National Immunization Awareness Week, April 21 to 30, Manitobans are encouraged to review their immunization status against measles to prevent a large outbreak in Manitoba:

  • For those born in 1985 and later, it is likely immunization records are in the provincial immunization registry. For people who don’t have their immunization record, records can be checked by submitting an eform (gov.mb.ca) or asking a health-care provider, pharmacist or local public health office. For individuals who are not immunized, they are eligible for two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
  • Manitobans born between 1970 and 1984 are likely immunized against measles as Manitoba’s measles vaccine program started in 1967. However, Manitoba did not have a centralized immunization registry at that time. If someone has reason to believe they weren’t immunized, they can talk to their health-care provider about immunization. Health-care providers can also check to see if they have previously had a blood test for immunity. Anyone who wasn’t immunized is eligible for one dose.
  • Those born before 1970 are generally considered immune to measles. This is because the measles virus was still circulating frequently at that time.

The theme of this year’s National Immunization Awareness Week is ‘Don’t Let History Repeat Itself. Protect Your Future. Get Immunized.’

The campaign notes vaccines save millions of lives each year by preventing illnesses such as measles. Before measles vaccinations were available, about 10,000 to 90,000 people living in Canada were infected with measles every year. Vaccines against measles and other illnesses are available throughout Manitoba for individuals of all ages through public health clinics and health-care providers.