By Staff
March 14th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Today, Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement:
“Over the last several weeks, we have seen the number of new measles cases rise to 173 bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Ontario to 350 since 2024, including 31 hospitalizations. This is the most measles cases Ontario has seen in over a decade. It is critical we work together to mitigate further spread of this vaccine-preventable disease.
Over 96 per cent of cases in Ontario are among individuals who are unimmunized, or have unknown immunization status, and were exposed in their community or while travelling. A majority of Ontario’s cases are concentrated in southwestern Ontario among unvaccinated people.
Vaccination is the most effective way to limit the spread of measles.
Vaccination is the most effective way to limit the spread of measles and protect yourself and your loved ones. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been in use for more than 50 years and is proven to be one of the safest and most effective vaccines available. All Ontarians should ensure themselves, and their children, are up to date on their vaccinations. Children who are fully immunized with two doses of the measles vaccine are nearly 100 per cent protected, with one dose estimated to be up to 95 per cent protective.
As part of routine vaccination schedules, children should receive two doses of the measles vaccine, their first at 12 months and a second when they are between four to six years old. If you are not sure about your immunization status, please contact your health care provider or your local public health unit.
Measles spreads easily among those who aren’t vaccinated and can lead to serious health issues including pneumonia, respiratory failure, swelling of the brain, and in rare cases, death.
Measles spreads easily among those who aren’t vaccinated and can lead to serious health issues including pneumonia, respiratory failure, swelling of the brain, and in rare cases, death. If you think you or a family member has been exposed to measles, please contact your health care provider immediately. Before any visit, be sure to call ahead to let them know that you are coming and that you suspect that you may have measles so appropriate precautions can be taken.
We will continue to work alongside our public health partners to respond to measles and to ensure the health and safety of communities across the province.
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Ontario has a problem with parents not immunizing their children as well.
Ever since Jenny McCarthy led people to believe that vaccines could cause autism ( this has been scientifically proven to be incorrect) there has been a decrease in children being vaccinated.
Public Schools ask for proof of vaccination and do have the right to deny admission if children are unvaccinated. However, the loophole is that if for religious reasons the parents do not want to have their children vaccinated they are allowed to attend public schools. All they need is a letter confirming this.
When herd immunity is not present the unvaccinated children cause a threat to the other children in the school.
It is my opinion that unvaccinated children should not be allowed to be in public schools. They pose a danger to all. The measles virus is extremely contagious and can be passed on easily to any of the people they come in contact with.
Wouldn’t it be a good idea to make sure travelers and immigrants have been inoculated with the same ones we are required to have?