Taken in conjunction with recent, major outbreaks of measles in Ontario, we are living through a perilous moment for public health in Canada. Since October, the West African province has seen over 2,000 cases of measles. That figure has already exceeded the entire count of such cases reported in the United States in 2025. Health officials, including the CDC director, are understandably alarmed by the outbreak. This issue became far more acute after six babies with congenital measles were delivered in Ontario by unvaccinated mothers.
Canada achieved something called “elimination status” for measles back in 1998. Since then, the country has not had a consistent circulation of the virus. The recent explosion of cases is extremely troubling. Ontario’s outbreak has recently become the largest measles outbreak since elimination in the western hemisphere. That changed tragically for our friends in Ontario last week. A baby in the U.S. who was born premature lost their life from a variety of medical complications related to measles.
Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health was cautious in discussing apple-to-apple comparisons. He noted that vaccination rates in Canada are so high that this has moderated the severity of the resulting outbreak. On a positive note, he said that all six babies born with congenital measles have fully recovered. He warned of the dangers posed by the unvaccinated, saying that
“It’s only a very small subgroup of people who have chosen not to get vaccinated who are having the complications.” – Kieran Moore
The recent measles outbreak has led to heated debate over vaccination policy, including whether or not to vaccinate pregnant people. Because the measles vaccine is administered as a live virus, it is not recommended for individuals who are currently pregnant. Unvaccinated pregnant people who are infected should act. They are recommended to get at least one dose of intravenous immunoglobulin to protect them from severe complications.
New York Commissioner of Health Kieran Moore likewise recognized the nuance in vaccine hesitancy, discussing the philosophical opt-outs that some people choose when making decisions about vaccines. He stated,
“Some people, if they don’t want a vaccine, they may not want the immunoglobulin either. That may be a philosophical choice.” – Kieran Moore
All these challenges considered, he still was cautiously optimistic with Canada’s growing vaccination rates and the effect it is having on public health.
“I know some will concentrate on the glass being half-empty. You know, to have that level of protection in the face of the risks globally, I think is quite an accomplishment.” – Kieran Moore
As Ontario navigates this outbreak, health officials are urging communities to remain vigilant and consider vaccination to prevent further spread of the disease. While many Canadians are protected through high vaccination rates, the resurgence of measles highlights the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy and ensuring public health measures remain effective.
