Latest news with #BrendanLew
Hamilton Spectator
02-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Hundreds more Hamilton students out of class for vaccine suspensions
More than a thousand Hamilton students missing vaccination records were suspended in what public health has said is the final wave for the school year. On Friday, 1,215 elementary students at Catholic schools, as well as students at French and private schools, were removed from class, associate medical officer of health Dr. Brendan Lew said in an email. Seven hundred of this group remained suspended as of Monday. This is the third round of post-pandemic enforcement, which numbers show has been effective in ensuring records are up to date. Of the 3,197 Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board elementary students missing records in January, 76 hadn't complied following suspensions of up to 20 days, the maximum time permitted under the Immunization of School Pupils Act. Among public and Catholic high school students, 316 were still missing records after 20-day suspensions, down from 7,615 in March. To comply with the act, Ontario students must submit proof of vaccination against nine illnesses — diphtheria, mumps, tetanus, polio, rubella, pertussis, varicella (if born after 2010), measles and meningococcal disease — to public health units, or request an exemption for medical or religious or philosophical reasons. As of late March, 4.5 per cent of Hamilton students were exempt, up from less than 2.5 per cent about a year ago and nearly three per cent before the pandemic in 2018-19. It's a 'worrisome' figure, Dawn Bowdish, a professor in the department of medicine at McMaster University, said at the time. The March rate was lower among elementary students at 3.9 per cent, and higher among secondary students at 6.3 per cent. About six per cent are exempt in Haldimand-Norfolk, the location of a measles outbreak of more than 100 cases, The Spectator reported in March. The highly contagious disease continues to spread in Ontario, with one case confirmed in Hamilton earlier this year. In Brantford and Brant County, the exemption rate is lower at about four per cent. Students without records or an exemption return to school after 20 days and 'would be subject to future enforcement' in future school years, Lew said. Public health will continue to remind these families to update their records. Planning for next year is 'ongoing,' he said, noting that elementary cohorts that didn't undergo enforcement this year, which includes those born between 2013 and 2016, will be prioritized.
CBC
15-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Hamilton, Grand Erie public health units recommend measles vaccine for some babies under 1 year old
Social Sharing In response to an Ontario-wide measles outbreak, with many cases occurring near Brantford, some public health units have expanded vaccinations to include infants as young as six months. Typically, the measles vaccine is given to children at one year old and then four years old. But with dozens of cases reported in the community, Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) has made the first shot available to babies between six and 11 months, and the second to children before they turn four. Hamilton Public Health Services is also recommending the first vaccine dose be administered to infants under one year old if they're part of travel to other areas of Ontario or internationally. GEPH covers Brantford, and the counties of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk. As of Thursday, GEPH had confirmed 110 cases this year, with the majority in children and the County of Brant, officials said at a news conference. Hamilton recently reported one measles case, but it's linked to international travel and not the outbreak in Ontario, said Dr. Brendan Lew, associate medical officer of health, in an email Friday. WATCH | Ontario measles cases more than double in 2 weeks: Ontario measles cases more than double in 2 weeks 22 hours ago Duration 2:01 Ontario is seeing a huge surge in measles cases, mostly among unvaccinated children. Health officials say cases have nearly doubled since its last report on Feb. 27. Note: Since this video was published, Public Health Ontario has revised the number of confirmed measles cases to 252. Southwestern Public Health has also reported over 100 cases in recent months and has expanded its vaccination program. It covers Oxford County, Elgin County and the City of St. Thomas, south of London. Measles 'completely preventable' Myriah Culp lives in the Niagara Region, where Niagara Health says nine cases have been identified. She said she's worried her three-week-old daughter Everly, who's too young to get vaccinated, will get sick with the measles. "She's too little, she has no protection and it's very contagious," Culp told CBC News. "I even worry about just taking her out." She's "very angry" about the outbreak because the measles is "completely preventable and eradicated." Dr. Azim Kasmani, Niagara Region's medical officer of health, said in an email to CBC Hamilton that "Niagara is currently not an area of concern for measles spread," adding all local infections "are linked, and are in people who have not received any doses of measles-containing vaccine." Niagara is following provincial guidance for vaccination schedules, Kasmani said. "Children should receive two doses of the measles vaccine, their first at 12 months and a second when they are between four to six years old." There's no cure for the measles, but the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been used for more than 50 years and is "proven to be one of the safest and most effective vaccines available," said a statement from Public Health Ontario. Children fully immunized with two doses of the vaccine are nearly 100 per cent protected, while a single dose provides roughly 95 per cent protection. In the last school year, only 70 per cent of seven-year-olds were fully vaccinated against measles, according to Public Health Ontario data. The agency says this represents a "large decline" from rates before the COVID-19 pandemic, as seen with many of Ontario's routine publicly funded immunization programs. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says 95 per cent is needed to ensure Canada stays free of endemic measles. Measles tends to start with cold-like symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, and red and watery eyes, with a rash that eventually appears on the face and body. It's a highly contagious illness, especially among people who aren't vaccinated, and can lead to serious health issues such as pneumonia, swelling and in rare cases death, said Public Health Ontario.
CBC
10-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Hamilton child with measles was at a local Costco and 3 other locations last week, city says
Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) has issued a warning about exposures to a travel-related confirmed case of measles in a Hamilton child. In a news release Sunday, HPHS said exposure to the measles virus may have occurred at the following locations on the dates indicated: Hamilton Medical Centre and Walk-In Clinic (52 Cannon Street West, Unit 103): March 5, from 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. Costco — Stoney Creek Warehouse (1330 South Service Road, Stoney Creek): March 5 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Stoney Creek Medical Walk-in Clinic (140 Centennial Parkway North): March 6 from 6:40 p.m. to 9 p.m. McMaster Children's Hospital Emergency Department (1200 Main Street West): March 6 from 7:53 p.m. to 8:53 p.m. "Measles is a serious, vaccine-preventable infection that can cause severe life-long complications," said Dr. Brendan Lew, Associate Medical Officer of Health. "Vaccination against measles is highly effective and we can combat the spread of measles through vaccination, education, and vigilant public health measures. It is strongly recommended you and your family are up-to-date with appropriate measles vaccination and that you report your child's vaccines to Public Health." Measles cases on the rise in Ontario The warning from HPHS comes as Ontario faces a rise in measles cases. In recent weeks, cases have been reported in several parts of the province, including York Region, Peel Region, Windsor, North Bay, Guelph, Southwestern Public Health region, Grand Erie Public Health region and Huron Perth Public Health region. HPHS says anyone who has been notified by Public Health that they have been exposed to the measles virus, or anyone who believes they may have been exposed to the measles virus should do the following: Watch for symptoms of measles for 21 days after exposure — even if they are up-to-date with their measles vaccinations. Measles symptoms begin 7-21 days after infection and may include: High fever of 38.8 C or greater Red, blotchy rash three to seven days after symptoms start Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes Check their immunization record to confirm they and their family members are up-to-date with their measles vaccinations (MMR or MMRV). Those who are unsure can check with their health-care provider. Two doses are generally recommended for anyone born in or after 1970. In general, those born before 1970 are considered protected against measles. For people born after 1970, who have not received two doses of measles containing vaccines (MMR or MMRV), HPHS says they should avoid contact with infants under one year of age, pregnant people, and immunocompromised people and any high-risk settings including health-care, child-care and school settings. For any measles exposure that occurs in a school or childcare setting, Hamilton Public Health Services will exclude students and childcare attendees identified as exposed to the measles virus who do not have up-to-date records with Public Health. Those students or childcare attendees with no doses of a measles vaccine will be excluded from school or childcare for 21 days following the exposure. Identified contacts of the measles virus who are students or childcare attendees with one dose of measles vaccine will be excluded until they receive a second dose of a measles vaccine. They should contact their health-care provider about receiving a second dose, and notify the clinic in advance that they have been identified as a contact of measles, HPHS says. If you develop symptoms of measles, HPHS advises that you stay home and do not attend work, school, childcare, or any other public spaces. You should also take the following steps: Contact your health-care provider by phone to discuss your symptoms. Before attending a health-care setting including a clinic or hospital — you must notify the facility that you have been in contact with someone who has measles so that appropriate precautions can be put into place before you enter. If you are unable to reach your health-care provider, contact Hamilton Public Health Services at 905-546-2063 to speak with a Public Health Nurse to discuss follow-up recommendations.
