As measles cases rise worldwide, local health officials urge you to check your vaccine status

Amid a global spike in measles activity, health officials in this region are asking people to check to make sure they're vaccinated against the deadly and contagious virus. 

Travel-related cases of measles have begun appearing in Ontario, and could increase as families make their way south for March Break and as snowbirds come home for the summer.

."We really want to make sure that we can limit the spread now," said Dr. Joanne Kearon, the Middlesex London Health Unit's associate medical officer of health, who said that lower uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination has made for more frequent outbreaks and a more vulnerable population globally.

People are urged to verify that their vaccinations are up-to-date and the province's top doctor warned earlier this week that local health units should prepare for measles outbreaks given the dramatic rise in cases worldwide.

While measles is no longer common in Canada, outbreaks can happen when unvaccinated or otherwise susceptible people travel to and from countries where the virus is circulating, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health told health units in a memo this week.

In Florida, a top health official allowed parents to send unvaccinated kids to school amid a measles outbreak, contravening advice from the American Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. 

MMR vaccines are typically administered in early childhood and infancy, according to the MLHU's guidelines, which say two doses of the vaccine, with the second dose including protection against varicella as well, provide adequate protection for one's lifetime.

Measles symptoms initially look like that of typical respiratory viruses, before progressing to rashes across one's entire body, and the potential for secondary issues like pneumonia and heart damage, Kearon said. It can also be fatal for children, and is extremely contagious.

Low vaccination rates 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, separate issues emerged that contributed to lower vaccine uptake, including vaccine fatigue and strained public health resources, Kearon said.

"People were getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and so they wanted to space out or delay getting their routine immunizations," said Kearon. "But a large part of the issue, especially early in the pandemic was that so much focus was on COVID-19. All of our healthcare resources were focused on that, globally."

In the Middlesex-London area, there was a 20 to 30 per cent decrease in MMR vaccinations for certain age groups over the course of the pandemic, Kearon said. But coverage rates have shot back up, now only a few percentage points from pre-pandemic levels.

Those hoping to check their vaccination status are encouraged to check the MLHU wesbite for their records.