Early measles vaccines recommended for some infants: Windsor-Essex health unit

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is now recommending that some very young children be assessed to receive a dose of the measles vaccine ahead of schedule in response to rising cases in the region. 

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, the region's medical officer of health, issued an update Thursday that recommends local health care providers conduct individual risk assessments for patients between six and 12 months old who have not yet received their first measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. 

"Based on the level of individual risk, as assessed through the patient's likelihood of travel to areas where measles is circulating, or other high-risk activities … healthcare providers should consider administering a dose of MMR ahead of schedule," the health unit said in a statement, adding that high-risk activities could include attending large gatherings. 

The early dose would be additional to the two doses that children are recommended to receive between 12 and 15 months and after 18 months, the health unit says.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection spread through the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. 

Droplets containing the measles virus can stay in the air for several hours, and the virus remains infectious on contaminated surfaces for up to two hours.

"Our region is amongst those in the province which is managing the ongoing and increasing challenges associated with measles," Aloosh said. "This updated vaccination recommendation for susceptible infants will provide an additional important level of protection."

The Windsor-Essex health unit reports 17 cases of measles in the region in March and two in February. 

According to Public Health Ontario data, the Chatham-Kent health unit has had 20 cases of the virus since Ontario's measles outbreak began in late October.  

Parents and caregivers should contact their child's health care provider for more information about early vaccination. 

Cases in Ontario are on the rise, according to Public Health Ontario: There have been 470 cases across the province, an increase of 120 cases since just March 14. 

Nearly half of those cases are in nearby Elgin and Oxford counties and the city of St. Thomas, all covered by Southwestern Public Health. That health unit reports 228 cases, primarily in unvaccinated children. That's the most of any Ontario health unit. 

Southwestern Public Health medical officer of health Dr. Ninh Tran debunked misinformation in the community that catching measles leads to total immunity. 

"While getting measles can result in natural immunity, being infected with measles carries significant health risks, including pneumonia, brain infections and brain swelling," Tran said, adding that it can also come with significant complications like low birth weight and miscarriage for people who are pregnant. 

The Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent health units are tracking measles exposures in the community, and advising residents who may have been exposed to monitor themselves for symptoms and contact their primary care providers.