Ontario is witnessing a significant surge in measles cases, the highest in over a decade, prompting health officials to take urgent action. Dr. Moore's memo, directed at primary-care providers, emphasizes the need to adhere to accelerated MMR vaccine guidance to curb the outbreak. The recommendation for infants aged six to 11 months includes an initial dose of the MMR vaccine, with two additional doses advised post the first year. This response is necessitated by a troubling drop in vaccination coverage reported in a recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health.
The city health unit in Ottawa is reinforcing the importance of maintaining the routine vaccine schedule. Children aged one to four who have already received their first measles vaccine dose are urged to get their second dose promptly, ensuring a minimum gap of four weeks between doses. This comes as Public Health Ontario reports nearly 200 cases of measles in recent weeks, with a majority occurring among unvaccinated individuals.
Currently, the province administers two doses of the measles vaccine routinely—the first at one year and the second between four to six years. However, the resurgence of measles globally, including in Europe, signals a dire need for heightened vigilance and proactive vaccination efforts.
Dr. Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital, highlighted the preventable nature of this outbreak.
"The sad part about this is it’s completely preventable," said Isaac Bogoch.
Dr. Bogoch further stressed the importance of reducing barriers to vaccination by bringing vaccines directly to the people rather than expecting individuals to seek them out.
Dr. Tam echoed similar sentiments, noting that most domestic measles cases involve unvaccinated individuals, particularly children and infants. The decline in vaccination coverage can be attributed to several factors, including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic when school-based immunization programs were paused. This trend is not isolated to Ontario but reflects a broader concern as data indicates a nationwide slide in childhood vaccination coverage.
In Southwestern Ontario, Dr. Moore pointed out that unvaccinated individuals account for most cases. The province's health authorities are working closely with primary-care providers, who play a crucial role in routine immunizations, to ensure that vaccination schedules are adhered to and that communities are safeguarded against preventable diseases like measles.
