Measles outbreak prompts BC health authority to issue warning to get vaccines updated

With spring break approaching quickly, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has issued a warning to those hoping to travel because of outbreaks of measles occurring around the world.

In BC, most students have spring break in the two weeks between Monday, March 18th and Monday, April 1st. 

For those travelling outside of Canada between those times, the Province is recommending people check their vaccination records and if need be, get an updated shot before taking off. 

The current measles outbreak included just one positive case in BC over the weekend with at least nine cases reported in the province so far this year. There were 12 cases reported in 2023.

Year over year, from 2022 to 2023, the World Health Organization reported a 79% increase in the number of global measles cases.

In BC, the measles vaccine is given as a series of two doses that protect against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). The first dose is usually administered on a child’s first birthday and the second dose is given around the time a child typically starts school.

“Babies as young as six months should get vaccinated against measles before travelling to countries where measles is spreading,” the Province wrote in a media release.  

“Children between one and four years can also get their second dose before travelling internationally.”

Vaccine appointments can be made throughout the province online. 

If a person is over the age of 4-years-old, a vaccine can be administered at any pharmacy but if they are younger than that, it must be given by a doctor or nurse practitioner. 

The BCCDC recommends if a child needs their first vaccine, that they get it at least two weeks prior to travelling. 

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“Measles vaccines are typically not needed for those born before 1970 as most people in that age group have immunity to measles from a prior infection, before vaccination was widely available,” the Province wrote. 

Before international travel, the BCCDC added that adults should make sure they have received two doses of a measles vaccine if they were born in 1970 or later

According to the Province, measles is highly contagious and spreads quickly through air because the virus can stay suspended in a room’s air for several hours. 

Because of these circumstances, the BCCDC is concerned that kids may bring back the virus and it could spread throughout a school setting quickly.