Alberta doctors sound alarm over low vaccination rates amid confirmed measles cases

In a change of heart, Alberta's health minister is now encouraging people to get their measles vaccine as the province confirms nearly a dozen cases.

Alberta has 11 confirmed cases of the measles, prompting doctors and medical experts to highlight major concerns over low vaccination rates for the virus.

“Measles is an avoidable illness and is not caught by those adequately vaccinated,” said Richard Owen, associate professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Alberta.

“This is a sad situation in a country where measles not long ago was effectively eradicated. This is the consequence of a falling vaccination rate. Our government need to do more and urge the population to get vaccinated.”

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Eight cases of the measles have been confirmed in Alberta’s North Health Zone, along with two in the Edmonton Zone and one in the Calgary Zone.

In a public health advisory issued late Sunday, Alberta Health Services (AHS) said measles cases have now been confirmed in the Edmonton region, including two instances when the highly contagious disease could have spread to others at local medical facilities.

The advisory noted that two people who were at the Stollery Children’s Hospital’s emergency department between March 14 at 10 p.m. and March 15 at 12:30 a.m. may have been exposed.

Additionally, people at several locations in or near Airdrie at several dates and times this month may have been exposed to measles. AHS says a case of measles has been confirmed in the area.

The locations, dates and times of potential exposure include:

• Superstore at 300 Veterans Blvd. N.E. in Airdrie, on March 8 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.;
• New Horizon Mall (Sky Castle Family Entertainment Centre, cafeteria) at 260300 Writing Creek Cres. in Balzac, on March 9 between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.;
• Airdrie Urgent Care at 604 Main St. S. in Airdrie, on March 11 between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and
• One Health Associate Medical Clinic at #201 836 1 Ave. N.W. in Airdrie, on March 12 between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

In order to get the coverage needed to limit the spread, infectious disease experts say close to 95 per cent of people in particular regions should be vaccinated.

“This is probably the single most contagious virus we know of in human health and measles is really good at moving from person to person, really good as well at exploiting any gaps in our defenses, such as lagging immunization rates,” said University of Calgary’s Dr. Craig Jenne.

According to provincial data from 2023, 69.3 per cent of Alberta children were fully immunized with two doses of the measles vaccine.

Other parts of the province however were below 50 per cent, including the South Central Zone (37.6 per cent) and Wetaskiwin, Ponoka and Lacombe (47.3 per cent).

Jenne added that the increasing number of Albertans without a family doctor could be a culprit for lower vaccine rates.

“Those who don’t have a family doctor or don’t have that advocate that you would meet with a couple times a year to check ask about your vaccine status lose that connection. As a result, we need better activism, reminding patients, reminding parents that there are a number of vaccines that are really protected for kids.”

‘Overcrowded and struggling’ health-care system

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange stopped short of fully recommending the measles vaccine last week, instead saying it’s up to the consent of parents to decide.

But on Monday, she had a change of heart and fully endorsed two doses of the shot.

The province says starting on Tuesday, it will provide updates on measles case counts on its website from Monday to Friday.

The minister’s initial response on vaccination is frustrating to hear for people like Dr. Paul Parks, the former president of the Alberta Medical Association.

“It’s very concerning that we’re having out outbreaks of a vaccine preventable illness, it’s so worrisome for children and the people who contact or get measles because it can have life-threatening side effects or outcomes,” he said.

Parks went on to say that a lack of vaccine coverage is also putting increasing pressure on the health-care system.

“Right now, we’re so overcrowded and struggling as it is already now and you can imagine having these cases in patient with measles before they’re diagnosed, sitting in a waiting room with 50 to 60 other sick patients for hours at a time.”

“It’s really concerning, our system is struggling as it is, and this will impact all patients in our healthcare system. And then, of course, it uses up a lot of resources as well, because they’ll have to contact trace all those people and any contacts, and lots of and lots of effort and money and resources will not have to go into trying to contain outbreaks that could have been prevented if we had adequate vaccine uptake.”

In a statement to CTV News, LaGrange’s offices said “unfortunately measles cases are increasing globally and across Canada, including here in Alberta.”

“Albertans who are concerned about their own or their families' protection are encouraged to contact their primary care provider or call 811. Albertans looking for more information on measles can also visit www.Alberta.ca/measles,” said LaGrange’s office.

AHS notes “measles is an extremely contagious disease and is spread easily through the air.”

In a release issued Friday evening, AHS says “anyone who attended these locations at these times who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine is at risk for developing measles.”

The provincial health authority suggests anyone who may have been exposed “review their immunization records and monitor themselves for symptoms of measles.”

Symptoms include, according to AHS:

• Fever of 38.3 C or higher;
• Cough, runny nose and red eyes; and
• A red, blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs.