The Canadian province of Manitoba has reported an alarming increase in measles cases. In part to combat this spread, they are greatly loosening the eligibility requirements to receive the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine in infants. Dr. Anna Banerji, pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Toronto, is very concerned about the increasing incidence of these infections. She further highlights the urgent need to safeguard our most vulnerable populations, including pregnant persons and infants.
As of June 7, Manitoba confirmed measles in 98 cases, and eight additional cases were deemed probable. The dynamic turn of events went through the roof in the month of May, when 72 of them were confirmed. The first week of June saw an additional seven confirmed cases and four probable cases, indicating an ongoing outbreak that has health officials on high alert.
To combat this disturbing trend, Manitoba moved in the right direction. First, they expanded access to the MMR vaccine for infants six to 12 months old. Since this eligibility change on May 14, only about 450 infants in this age group have been vaccinated. This program will help prevent the further spread of the virus and build equitable protection for everyone, especially our most vulnerable Americans. It is noteworthy that infants evacuated from communities impacted by ongoing wildfires have been included in this vaccine eligibility.
Dr. Banerji stressed the unique threats that measles can cause to pregnant people. “The risk to a pregnant woman is much higher than to a non-pregnant mother, and the risk of death due to measles in a pregnant mother is, like, tenfold higher,” she stated. She continued to explain that pregnant individuals are at higher risk of being hospitalized because of associated complications from the virus.
Measles is perhaps the most infamous example of a virus that can cause multiorgan impacts. “Basically, the virus can go anywhere in the body,” Dr. Banerji explained. More serious complications such as pneumonia or hepatitis can occur. Likewise, both of these conditions can progress to grave complications such as encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain which can be deadly.
The expansion of the MMR vaccine eligibility reflects a proactive approach by health authorities to mitigate the spread of measles in Manitoba. This program directly incentivizes babies in Southern Health and Interlake-Eastern health authority regions to be vaccinated. Protecting your child’s health is your greatest concern—and it begins with their vaccination!
