Facts
- Measles is among the most contagious diseases and can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, premature birth and death.
- Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from measles, and to limit spread of measles in our community.
- The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been safely used for over 50 years and is highly effective.
- Two doses provide nearly 100 percent protection.
- Check your immunization records to make sure you and your family are up to date with vaccinations.
- If you are unsure of whether you are fully protected against measles, talk to a health care provider or TBDHU.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do pregnant individuals who have been vaccinated against measles need to worry about contracting the virus or passing it to their baby?
- The MMR vaccine provides nearly 100 percent protection after two doses and has a strong safety record spanning more than 50 years.
- When a pregnant individual is vaccinated against measles, she can pass protective antibodies to her baby during pregnancy, and after birth as well through breast milk. These antibodies provide immunity that help to shield the infant from measles during the first few months of life, before they are eligible for the vaccine.
- Immunization remains the most reliable way to prevent measles and its potentially severe complications.
What is congenital measles?
- Congenital measles occurs when a fetus is infected with the measles virus in utero due to maternal measles infection during pregnancy. It is diagnosed when a newborn has laboratory-confirmed measles infection within the first 10 days of life.
How can congenital measles be prevented?
- Ensure measles immunity in individuals of childbearing age through vaccination with MMR vaccine prior to pregnancy.
- Ensure family members and others within the household are vaccinated against measles.
- Promptly identify and isolate measles cases to reduce the risk of exposure to measles in the community.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis with immunoglobulin for measles susceptible pregnant individuals who have been exposed to measles can reduce the risk of measles infection and reduce complications should measles infection occur.
What are the risks of maternal measles infection during pregnancy?
- Measles during pregnancy can pose serious risks to both the pregnant individual and the developing baby.
- When a pregnant individual contracts measles, it can lead to complications such as miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and even stillbirth.
- Importantly, the virus can be transmitted to the baby, which can cause severe respiratory issues and brain inflammation, and long-term issues such as blindness, deafness, and neurological issues.
- Fortunately, there is a highly effective vaccine to prevent against measles. The MMR vaccine provides nearly 100 percent protection after two doses and has a strong safety record spanning more than 50 years.
- Anyone who is unvaccinated is at risk. Those who may become pregnant should ensure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, which will protect both parent and baby.
What are the risks of maternal measles infection during pregnancy?
- Measles during pregnancy can pose serious risks to both the parent and the developing baby.
- When a pregnant individual contracts measles, it can lead to complications such as miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and even stillbirth.
- Importantly, the virus can be transmitted to the baby, which can cause severe respiratory issues and brain inflammation, and long-term issues such as blindness, deafness, and neurological issues.
- Fortunately, we have a highly effective vaccine to prevent it. The MMR vaccine provides nearly 100 percent protection after two doses and has a strong safety record spanning more than 50 years.
- Anyone who is unvaccinated is at risk. Those who may become pregnant should ensure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, which will protect both parent and baby.
Is the MMR vaccine recommended during pregnancy?
- The MMR vaccine is not routinely recommended during pregnancy.
- MMR vaccine should be given:
- Before pregnancy. Current advice from the Canadian Immunization Guide is to wait at least 1 month after getting the MMR vaccine to begin pregnancy.
- Any time after birth, including while breastfeeding.
Is measles IgG serology routinely included as part of Ontario’s prenatal screening?
- No, measles IgG serology is not routinely included as part of Ontario’s prenatal screening.
What if a pregnant individual is not sure of their immunization status, what should they do?
- As MMR vaccine is not generally recommended in pregnancy, Measles IgG serology for pregnant individuals who do not know if they have been vaccinated against measles can assist in identifying individuals who are susceptible to measles infection.
- Pregnant individuals who are not sure of their immunization status should speak to their health care provider.
- They can also contact their local public health unit to see if records are available.
How can pregnant individuals reduce the risk of measles?
- The best protection against measles is to get vaccinated before becoming pregnant.
- Anyone who is unvaccinated is at risk. Those who may become pregnant should ensure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, which will protect both parent and baby.
- If a pregnant individual is unvaccinated, they can reduce the risk of getting measles by avoiding communities with significant measles spread, only socializing with people who they know are immunized and avoiding indoor gatherings.
- Individuals may also consider wearing a mask (preferably N95) in areas where there is known to be significant measles spread.
A pregnant individual has had a known exposure to measles. How should this be managed and how does this vary by immunization status of the exposed pregnant individual?
a) Pregnant individual is fully vaccinated (has received 2 doses of MMR/MMRV vaccine)
- Two doses provide excellent protection against measles infection. As no vaccine provides 100 percent protection, as a precautionary measure, the individual should be counselled on how to recognize and monitor for signs/symptoms of measles infection for 21 days following exposure, and how to safely seek testing should any occur.
b) Pregnant individual has received only 1 dose of MMR/MMRV vaccine or has unknown vaccination status
- Consider measles serology if results will be available in a timely fashion (within 24 hours). If results are consistent with susceptibility or if serology results will not be available in time to inform management, post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered as soon as possible and within 6 days of exposure.
c) Pregnant individual is known to be unvaccinated or has unknown vaccination status with recent non-reactive measles IgG serology
- Post-exposure prophylaxis should be administered as soon as possible and within 6 days of exposure.