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Calgary Herald

'Measles capital of North America': Alberta doctors sound alarm on immunization

Article content Measurable difference Article content In a statement emailed to Postmedia after press time Tuesday, the Ministry of Primary and Preventive Health Services said recent data shows current outreach and immunization efforts are making a measurable difference. Article content 'Between March 16 and July 12, more than 82,000 measles vaccines were administered across Alberta — an increase of more than 55 per cent compared to the same time last year,' the statement said. Article content 'In the South Zone, where targeted efforts have been underway, vaccine uptake rose by 121 per cent. In the North Zone, it rose by 94 per cent. A call-out campaign for parents of 6–11-month-olds in affected zones led to a 259 per cent increase in doses — about 6,000 more than the same period last year.' Article content The gains reflect the impact of expanded clinic access, early-dose eligibility in high-risk zones, and the extended Don't Get Measles, Get Immunized campaign, the release said. Article content Article content The ministry said the routine immunization schedule was updated for measles-containing vaccine in January 2021. Article content As of Jan. 1, 2021, the second dose shifted to 18 months of age from between four to six years of age to support children being fully immunized by the time they start participating in preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten programs that are often co-located in schools, the release said. Article content 'Alberta's government isn't considering linking school registration with immunization records.' Article content The Canadian government urges measles vaccination for all eligible individuals, including two doses at 12 and 18 months of age. Article content Smith said the provincial government is now allowing everyone to get their two doses by the age of two. Article content 'Before we waited until kindergarten, but now so many kids are going into daycare, so we've moved that back, but we also make a microdose available to those parents who want that extra protection and so they can get a smaller dose,' she said. Article content Article content For now, Alberta is reaping the benefits of days when vaccine rates were higher. Article content Smith said she's 'pleased to see that we still have about a 90 per cent overall vaccination rate by the time young people get to be 17 years old — 95 per cent is what they recommend. But we're glad to see that the message is getting out,' she said. Article content Child, adult, pregnant woman alike, if you're in the room with an infected person and you're non-immune, your chances of getting the airborne illness is very, very high, said Ladha. Article content 'That represents a perfect storm where our children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces and family members will be at risk, increased risk in getting measles because they've gone to school in September or because they've brought it home from school to infect the children who are still at home,' Talbot said. Article content There have been recent ICU admissions with measles victims requiring care, said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist with the University of Alberta. Article content 'I have just recently been called about pregnant women who have measles in pregnancy. I've also been called about transplant patients with measles. Article content 'The likelihood that there will be severe outcomes with really significant critical illness or death is just going up, because the longer we have circulation of disease and more cases that happen, that's basically just a matter of numbers and risk, and it's just a matter of time, unfortunately,' Saxinger said. Article content Within the past few months, the province's health zones have stopped posting the areas of exposure to measles, where individuals travelled from their doctor's office to a lab to a radiology site to a store. Article content 'We don't see that from those sites anymore, because the volume is simply too high for them to be able to catch up. And so we just know that there's more transmission and more cases than are even being detected, and we're probably seeing, to some extent, the tip of the iceberg on the hospital side,' she said. Article content Article content Practical considerations Article content As a doctor, Talbot said, he's an optimist in that he believes public health threats can be addressed — noting that more than 90 per cent of Albertans got at least one COVID vaccination during the pandemic. Article content All American states have laws requiring certain vaccines for students to attend school, although a number of states allow for exemption on the basis of religion or philosophy, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Article content In Canada, Ontario and New Brunswick have made immunizations mandatory for school attendance. Article content It may be time for a public debate on requiring measles immunizations for school attendance in Alberta, Talbot said. Article content 'The second (way to address school spread of measles) is to make sure that people are aware that if measles does strike a school and starts to spread, that it may be necessary to send unimmunized students and unimmunized staff home so that they are protected for the time until all of those people who have been exposed are safe to return,' he said. Article content Article content Saxinger said for those who aren't immune, the current guidance for quarantine after measles exposure is 21 days. Article content 'That's to try to contain the infection and reduce the successive rings of spread — and that's very disruptive, if you think about that occurring in a school or in a workplace. It is a really strong practical argument to make sure that your immunization is up to date, and the immunization of your children is up to date,' Saxinger said. Article content What to do if your child is not immunized Article content The experts agreed there's a unique window in the next month. Article content 'It takes time to book an appointment, and then the child's body needs 10 to 15 days to get the maximum protection. So book your appointment now for anyone going back to school and anyone under the age of five who's not immune in your household. That's the most important back-to-school preparation you can do even more than buying a backpack or a lunch box,' Talbot said.