Expanded eligibility for measles vaccine means more people can receive vaccine as cases and exposures increase

Waterloo Region – Residents in western Ontario, including Waterloo Region,can now receive the measles vaccination earlier than previously scheduled as cases of the airborne virus continue. The Ontario Ministry of Health expanded the eligibility criteria for Measles vaccination for areas that continue to see increased transmission and community exposures.

The expanded measles vaccine eligibility is as follows:

• Infants age 6 months to 1 year of age are recommended to receive a single dose of vaccine (they must receive two additional doses after the first birthday)
• Children age 1 year to 4 years of age are recommended to receive an earlier second dose of vaccine as soon as possible (in the routine schedule they were eligible after 4 years of age)
• Adults born on or after 1970 are now recommended to receive a second dose of vaccine if they do not already have one

Waterloo Region continues to see an increase in cases and exposures locally, which is consistent with the trajectory of the provincial outbreak. Cases and exposures can occur across the community in various settings, including on public transit, health care settings, stores, and schools.

As exposures are increasing, residents and businesses are encouraged to check potential exposure locations regularly: Potential Public Exposures to Measles in Waterloo Region.

These changes are crucial to improving vaccine coverage rates locally and mitigating the spread of measles in our community. To get the vaccine, residents are encouraged to reach out to their primary care provider. For those without a family doctor, they are encouraged to access walk-in clinics available throughout the community. Public Health will be hosting some clinics for priority groups without a primary care provider.

For more information, Public Health has a dedicated page with information on measles including vaccination details and facts on the virus.

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