Measles cases rise as health officials urge people to get vaccinated

CBC

15-05-2025

2 doses of the vaccine are almost 100 per cent effective
⭐️HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW⭐️
Measles cases have been reported in communities across Canada.
Ontario has the most reported cases this year, with Alberta in second.
Public health officials have been reminding people to get vaccinated.
Two doses of the vaccine provide almost 100 per cent protection.
Children are encouraged to get the measles vaccine as part of routine immunization.
Read on to learn more about who needs to be vaccinated. ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Depending on where you live, you may have seen ads reminding people to get vaccinated for measles.
That's because in some parts of Canada cases of the highly contagious disease have been climbing.
Ontario and Alberta have been hit hardest, but British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Nova Scotia and the Northwest Territories have all reported cases in 2025.
Measles can spread quickly and can make people very sick. It typically causes a rash, fever and cough, but in more severe cases, it can sometimes lead to pneumonia and even death.
That's why public health officials are asking Canadians to make sure they and their families are fully vaccinated.
"You can help protect yourself, your family and your community by [getting vaccinated]," Dr. Davinder Singh, medical co-lead for Manitoba Health's immunization program, said in an interview with CBC News.
Low vaccination rates can mean more cases
In recent years, measles cases have been relatively low, but in 2024 there was a sharp rise compared to 2023.
The trend continued, with more cases reported in the first two months of 2025 than all of 2024, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Ontario has reported the most measles cases of any province in 2025, but Alberta has the most cases relative to its population size, according to health officials.
Last week, Alberta reported 116 new measles cases, and Ontario — which has three times more people — reported 182 cases since May 6.
Outbreaks are more likely to happen in areas where large groups of people are not fully vaccinated against the disease.
Alberta Public Health has shared information about vaccinations on its social media accounts, including advertising its measles hotline phone number. (Image credit: Alberta Health Services/X)
Alberta's provincial data, for example, shows 71.6 per cent of seven-year-olds were up to date with both doses of the measles vaccine in 2024.
Experts say that at least 95 per cent of people need to be vaccinated to best protect the community and prevent outbreaks.
Health officials say that getting both doses of the two-dose vaccine gives you almost 100 per cent protection against measles.
To encourage more people to get vaccinated, public health agencies have rolled out awareness campaigns in several languages across social media, radio and television.
Despite the overall rise, the spread has stopped in some parts of the country.
In April, Quebec declared an end to its four-month-long outbreak after no new cases were reported for 32 days.
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How to spot measles
Measles comes with a variety of symptoms, including a fever, cough and runny nose. One of the most obvious symptoms is a red, splotchy rash that normally starts on the ears and face and spreads down the body.
The rash usually starts a few days after the fever.
It can be harder to spot on darker skin tones and may appear purple.
Measles can cause a red, splotchy rash that usually starts behind the ears and spreads to the rest of the body. (Image credit: Getty Images/Canva)
Measles spreads very easily through the air.
If you think you have measles or have been exposed to someone with measles, you should call your health-care provider and stay home to prevent spreading it.
When to get vaccinated
It is usually recommended that children get their first dose of the measles vaccine at age 12 to 15 months and get their second dose at 18 months or later.
In some cases, like during an outbreak, babies as young as six months can get their first dose.
For kids who didn't get their routine immunizations (the full series of vaccines) earlier in life, it is recommended they get two doses of the measles vaccine, four weeks apart.
What advice would you give other kids who are afraid of needles?
The measles vaccine normally comes with vaccinations for two other illnesses — mumps and rubella — and is known as the MMR vaccine.
The MMR vaccine is free across Canada as part of the routine immunizations for children.
The vaccine becomes effective up to seven to 10 days after getting a dose.
Most kids get vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella viruses at the same time during routine immunizations. (Image credit:)
In Ontario and New Brunswick, kids are required to prove they are fully immunized (immune to the disease, usually by vaccination) before they can attend school, with some exceptions for medical or ideological reasons.
For people who don't know if they are fully immunized, local public health authorities may keep records.
If you're still unsure, your primary care doctor can help you figure out if you need to get vaccinated.
Reactions to the measles vaccine are usually mild, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.