Concern grows over low measles vaccination rates in parts of B.C.

Health officials and scientists are sounding the alarm about low measles vaccination rates in certain parts of British Columbia, as outbreaks in Ontario and Texas raise concerns about the spread of the virus.

In Ontario, there have been 350 cases of measles reported since late October, with 173 of those infections occurring in the last few weeks. Tragically, in late February, an unvaccinated child in Texas lost their life in the first U.S. measles death since 2015.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and highly effective at preventing infection and severe cases of measles. It is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old for the first shot, with the second dose administered between the ages of four and six.

However, alarming statistics from the Okanagan and Kootenay-Boundary regions of B.C. show that less than two-thirds of seven-year-olds were up to date with their measles shots in 2023, well below the recommended 95% rate needed to achieve herd immunity.

The overall percentage of seven-year-olds in B.C. who were up to date with their shots has been steadily declining for over a decade, with the province as a whole only reaching 72% coverage in 2023. B.C. has reported four travel-related cases of measles this year, all linked to air travel to Southeast Asia.

Experts emphasize the importance of checking the vaccination status of children, as measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe complications for those who are not vaccinated. Caroline Colijn, a Canada 150 Research Chair in mathematics at Simon Fraser University, warns that there are areas and school districts in B.C. where there are enough unvaccinated children for measles to spread rapidly if introduced.

A recent modeling study conducted by Colijn and her colleagues highlighted the rapid spread of measles in communities with low vaccination coverage. Measles is so infectious that anyone who is not immunized and exposed to the virus in a room is likely to contract the disease, with symptoms potentially appearing up to 10 days later.

Jia Hu, the interim medical director for immunization programs at the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, acknowledges that while B.C.’s measles vaccination uptake appears low among children, actual rates may be slightly higher due to factors such as recent moves to the province or unregistered residents. Nevertheless, Hu stresses the need to increase vaccination rates to prevent the spread of the preventable disease.

The pandemic has disrupted many childhood vaccine schedules, contributing to the decline in vaccination rates. Hu emphasizes the importance of reaching out to community leaders and providing information and access to vaccines to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent measles, a disease with high hospitalization rates. Colijn underscores the severity of measles, which can cause brain swelling and immune system damage in unprotected children.

As Canadians collectively strive to protect their communities from preventable diseases, maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to preventing outbreaks and ensuring the health and safety of everyone.