Measles vaccine in limited supply at Nova Scotia pharmacies

Nova Scotia pharmacies are seeing a surge in demand for measles vaccines (MMR) amid a rise in cases in Canada and across the world, and it may be hard to find the shot at drugstores.

Kari Ellen Graham is a pharmacist at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Halifax. She said ever since Nova Scotia's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang urged people in their mid 50s to take a look at their measles vaccine history, it's been impossible to keep up with demand.

"I would say 20 calls a day and lots of people coming in and asking questions as well," Graham told CBC News.

Nova Scotia Health gave clinics like Graham's enough free doses to vaccinate 10 people. But when those run out, the clinic has to turn to a private supply. Those shots cost around $80. On Thursday, Graham was out of both supplies.

"The bottom line is you could try your pharmacy, although most pharmacies are out. You could try your primary care clinic if you have a doctor — although I'm hearing that a lot of doctors offices are now out," Graham said.

The Department of Health and Wellness told CBC News there are enough MMR vaccines to go around in Nova Scotia. A spokesperson for the department told CBC on Friday that since the start of the year, the provincial BioDepot has delivered 4,210 doses of publicly funded MMR vaccine to providers, including 2,900 doses in March. Providers include primary care providers and community pharmacy primary care clinics.

Where to find measles vaccine

The province said this number of doses is the "standard amount to have to meet the need for those who are eligible." The department said the provincial BioDepot is meeting the demand and Public Health "routinely works" with providers to address increased vaccine needs.

"Some individual pharmacies may have run out of their current supply, however, they are able to order more through the provincial biodepot on a monthly basis," the department said.

If measles shots can't be found in a pharmacy or primary health-care provider's office, the department said they're available at public health mobile units. As well, the department said public health offices are providing clinics for children under the age of five who don't have family doctors, including containing vaccines for measles.

Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia CEO Allison Bodnar says pharmacists are sympathetic to people who are looking to get the MMR shot.

She anticipates pharmacies that are part of community pharmacy primary care clinics — a pilot project that launched last year to allow pharmacists to expand the scope of their practice — will have free shots again sometime in April

"I think part of the problem we have with our current model of vaccines being inside of a primary care office is that —unless you're a patient of that primary care office — you can't access that supply," Bodnar said.

Who is eligible for measles shots?

As of March 9, the most measles reporting in Canada at the time of publishing, there have been no cases detected in Nova Scotia in 2024.

"At this time, the risk of measles remains low in Nova Scotia and we do not have active cases," the department said.

The department says measles vaccines are part of the routine immunization schedule:

• Two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (MMRV) vaccine at 12 months and 18 months old.
• Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for people born in 1970 or later.

Travellers are eligible for additional measles-containing vaccines:

• One dose of MMR vaccine for infants between six months and 12 months old. 
  • Children who receive a measles vaccine for travel between six months and 12 months old require two doses of MMRV vaccine after their first birthday to complete the routine series and be fully protected.
• One dose of MMR vaccine for adults and adolescents without measles immunity.
  • People are considered to have measles immunity if they have had a previous lab-confirmed measles infection, or have been vaccinated with two doses of measles vaccine. 

Eligible individuals can receive measles vaccine free of charge, the department said.