Latest news with #DrHsiuLiWang
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Bookings now open for Region of Waterloo's measles vaccination clinics
A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination awaits the next patient during a vaccine clinic at Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins) The Region of Waterloo is now booking appointments for its measles vaccination clinics. The clinics were set up by the public health unit in an effort to address, and slow, the spread of the contagious virus. As of last week, there were 100 confirmed or possible cases of measles in the region. In particular, public health is trying to reach out to priority groups. Those include anyone without a primary care provider and anyone who qualifies for an early vaccine dose. Last week, the province expanded eligibility to infants between six-months-old to one-year-old who need their first vaccine, children aged one to four-years-old who need their second dose, or adults born in 1970 or earlier who need their second shot. 'The best protection against measles is the highly effective and safe MMR vaccination,' Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the medical officer of health for the Region of Waterloo, said in a media release. 'The MMR vaccine greatly reduces the risk of getting measles and helps protect the broader community from further exposures.' The vaccination clinics will be held at 20 Weber Street in Kitchener and 150 Main Street in Cambridge. Appointments can be booked online starting May 26. What to know about measles Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness. Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death. It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.
CBC
26-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Measles clinics offered to 'priority' groups by Region of Waterloo Public Health as outbreak worsens
Measles vaccine clinics in Kitchener and Cambridge will be offered by public health to people in "priority groups." Priority groups are people who don't have a primary care provider and who are: Infants (six months to a year to receive their first dose early). Children (ages one to four to receive their second dose early). Adults born on or after 1970 who need a second dose. The clinics will run at 150 Main St. in Cambridge and 20 Weber St. in Kitchener. Appointments can be made through the Region of Waterloo's website. The clinics come as more cases of the measles are reported in Waterloo region and throughout southern Ontario. Public health says the people at greatest risk of getting measles are those who have not yet had two doses of the vaccine. The risk for individuals who are fully immunized, with two doses of a vaccine, or born before 1970, is still considered very low. The clinics also come after Ontario expanded eligibility for the vaccine. People can now receive the vaccine earlier than previously scheduled: Infants (six months to a year) can receive a single dose, then receive two additional doses after their first birthday. Children (age one to four) can receive an earlier second dose (before they would receive the second dose after they turned four). Children can receive their second dose as early as four weeks after their first dose. Adults born on or after 1970 can now receive a second dose of vaccine if they do not already have one. Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the medical officer for Region of Waterloo Public Health, said in a release that the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine (often shortened to MMR vaccine) is "highly effective and safe." "The MMR vaccine greatly reduces the risk of getting measles and helps protect the broader community from further exposures," Wang said. The region's website lists numerous potential public exposure locations. Among them are four schools where there have been positive cases: Winterbourne Parochial Elementary School in West Montrose (exposure on May 2). Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener (exposure May 6 to May 8). St. Mary's High School in Kitchener (exposure on May 8). Franklin Public School in Kitchener (exposure May 12 to May 15). Public health says measles starts with symptoms that are similar to a cold, including: A runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever. Small white spots sometimes appear in the mouth and back of the throat. Three to seven days later, a red blotchy rash appears on the face and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash can last up to seven days. Anyone with symptoms of measles should contact their family doctor's office or public health.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Kitchener high school closed Thursday after confirmed case of measles
Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener is closed for Thursday after a confirmed case of measles. The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) says the school was closed to give Region of Waterloo Public Health the time it needs to complete required steps in vaccination verification. The confirmed case of measles at Eastwood Collegiate also caused exposures on May 7 and May 8. Public health will be reaching out to people who may have been exposed to the virus on those days. They will be given information about the required next steps. "We continue to work closely with public health to ensure appropriate infection prevention and control practices are in place and that we have the necessary support," WRDSB said in a notice posted online on Wednesday night. The public school board said Eastwood students will continue their classes virtually. It says some students may use the day to work on previously-assigned homework. There were 920 high school students across Waterloo region who were suspended from school last week for not having up-to-date vaccination records on file with public health. The news is particularly concerning because there's a rise of measles cases throughout the province, Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, said in a release last Thursday announcing the suspensions. "Vaccination is the best way to protect against serious illness," Wang said in a press release. The Immunization of School Pupils Act says students must be vaccinated or have a valid exemption on file in order to attend school. Schools in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph with exposures In the area covered by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, four schools are listed as having measles exposures, with one school having three separate exposure dates: April 28 to April 29 — Central Peel Public School in Drayton. May 1 — Erin Public School. April 30 to May 1 — Paisley Road Public School. May 2 — Guelph Outdoor School. May 2 — Erin Public School. May 5 — Erin Public School.
CBC
08-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
920 high school students in Waterloo region suspended for out-of-date vaccination records
There are 920 high school students across Waterloo region who have to stay home Thursday after being suspended for not having up-to-date vaccination records on file with public health. The news is particularly concerning because there's a rise of measles cases throughout the province, Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, the region's medical officer of health, said in a release on Thursday announcing the suspensions. "Vaccination is the best way to protect against serious illness," Wang said in a press release. "With the current increase of measles in southern Ontario, it is especially important to strengthen immunization rates among children and youth. Ensuring that students in our schools are protected through immunization also helps to keep the broader community safe and healthy." The Immunization of School Pupils Act says students must be vaccinated or have a valid exemption on file in order to attend school. In mid-March, more than 5,000 suspension orders were sent to secondary school students in Waterloo region. In some cases, students are vaccinated but their records are out-of-date. They had until end-of-day on May 7 to get their records updated. Region of Waterloo Public Health says students who are vaccinated can book an appointment with public health or their own doctor to get vaccinated. New or unreported vaccinations can be reported through the public health website. Waterloo region " issued nearly 9,000 suspension orders to elementary school children who don't have up-to-date vaccination records" back in February. Last month, more than 1,600 students were suspended. By April 24, 70 students remained out of class. Guelph, Wellington a 'risk area' for measles Measles is a respiratory disease caused by a contagious virus that spreads through the air and between people through breathing, coughing or sneezing. Public Health Ontario notes that measles remains the leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in children worldwide. Symptoms after a measles exposure can develop anywhere between seven and 21 days later. It begins with cold-like symptoms and can later devolve into white spots in the mouth and back of the throat and a red blotchy rash on the face and body. Serious complications, such as ear and brain infections, can happen. Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health said on Wednesday that it was identified as a risk area by the province because of the community spread. There were 63 probable or confirmed cases in the area as of Wednesday morning. The province said earlier this week there have been more than 1,300 cases of the virus since October. Many of those cases are in children.
