Measles

The measles virus spreads very easily through the air when someone who has the virus breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes, making it a very contagious infection

Measles can live on surfaces and contaminate them.

The virus can survive in the air and on surfaces for up to 2 hours, even after an infected person has left a room.

People can be infected when they breathe in the air or touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

People are considered contagious (e.g. spread the virus) 4 to 5 days BEFORE they show any symptoms.

Symptoms include:

• fever, cough, runny nose
• tired, irritability, red eyes
• small white spots on the inside of the mouth and throat
• classic red, blotchy, non-itchy rash on face that progresses down the body

Protection against measles includes the following:

• Proof of two valid doses of measles-containing vaccine (MMR; measles, mumps, rubella); see the "Vaccine protection" section below 
• Blood work showing antibodies to measles
• Documention showing prior lab-confirmed measles infection
• Born before 1970, EXCEPT heath care providers. Those born before 1970 are considered immune, as measles was widely circulating at that time OR they may have received measles vaccine at some point. However, any health care provider born before 1970 must follow the guideline for all health care providers; proof of two valid doses of measles-containing vaccine OR blood work suggestive of immunity. 

More information about measles is available on Ontario’s measles website (Ontario.ca/measles) or the Canadian Paediatric Society’s website (caringforkids.cps.ca).

• Safe vaccine: The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has proven to be one of the safest and most effective vaccines available, even if the vaccine was received many years ago.
• Required for school/licensed child care: Measles protection is required to attend both licensed child care and school in Ontario. 
• FREE in Ontario: The MMR vaccine is FREE through Ontario’s publicly funded vaccine program. MMR vaccines are offered to children and adults as part of Ontario’s routine vaccine schedule

Vaccine recommendations

• Children should receive one dose at 1 year of age and a second dose at 4 years of age.
  • It is recommended that children receive the second dose (booster) as soon as they turn 4.
• Adults born in or after 1970 should have record of receiving at least one dose and may consider speaking to a health-care provider about receiving a second dose.
• Health care workers and post-secondary students should have record of receiving two doses.

NOTE:

• Adults born before 1970 are generally considered immune to measles as measles was widely circulating at that time. In addition, these individuals may have received measles vaccine at some point.
• Those who are breastfeeding can safely receive the vaccine and pass on antibody protection to their child through breast milk.
• Pregnant people cannot receive the vaccine.

Unsure if you or your child(ren) is missing a dose of vaccine?

• Children – check their ICON account or talk to their health care provider
• Adults – check any records (ICON, yellow card, vaccine documents – see TBDHU.com/vaxreport for more tips) or talk to the provider who gave the vaccines

Catching up on missing doses

Those who are missing doses can catch up at any age. 

• Have a provider - Make an appointment.
• No provider - Visit TBDHU.com/vaxclinic and book using the online booking system.

Make sure you and your family members are vaccinated BEFORE travelling to an area where there are ongoing cases of measles:

• Infants 6-11 months should receive 1 dose. To be fully protected and stay on track with their routine vaccines, these infants will need to receive a dose at their first birthday and a second dose at 4 years of age.
• Children between 1 and 3 years of age who have already received their first dose according to the routine schedule should get their second dose. There must be at least 4 weeks between the doses.
• Children 4 years of age or older should get their second dose if they have not already received it as part of the routine schedule.
• Adults born in or after 1970 should get a second dose if they only have record of one dose.
• Adults born before 1970 should get one dose if they have never been exposed to measles and do not have history of getting a dose in the past.

To identify the areas with ongoing cases of measles:

• Within Ontario – See Public Health Ontario’s exposure webpage
• Within Canada – See Canada's measles monitoring report webpage 
• Internationally – See Canada’s “Advice for Travellers” webpage