Measles

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can have serious complications in some people. It can lead to pneumonia or inflammation of the brain. One in a few thousand people who acquire measles die, with most deaths in unvaccinated or under vaccinated children. Pregnant people who develop measles have an increased risk of serious infection, hospitalization, miscarriage, premature labour, and low birthweight infants.

Measles is spread by an airborne virus when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. You can become infected when you breathe in these droplets. You can also get measles by touching the droplets on an object contaminated with the virus, when you kiss someone, or share food, drinks or cigarettes with an infected person. 

Getting the measles vaccine is the best way to prevent getting and spreading measles. Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is almost 100 per cent effective and lasts for a lifetime.  

Learn more about measles, signs and symptoms, and current cases (BC Centre for Disease Control)

If you’ve been near someone with measles or have recently travelled to a place with an outbreak, monitor for symptoms. IH will contact you by phone or text if you were potentially exposed. People who are most at risk of infection are those who are completely unvaccinated against the disease, including children under one year of age.

If you think you have symptoms, including a rash, call 8-1-1- to speak to a health-care professional for an initial assessment. If you need to visit a health-care provider, please call ahead so they can take the necessary steps to ensure you don't pass the infection on to others.

Interior Health is sending text or voice messages to people in the Interior Health region who may have been exposed to measles. A text or call will appear from a 250 area code, and sometimes an 833 area code.

You may receive a text that looks like this from Interior Health if you might have been exposed to measles.

To learn more about known measles exposure locations, and what to do if you have been exposed to measles, visit BC Centre for Disease Control. 

If you’ve been potentially exposed to measles in a public setting, use the Measles Exposure Risk Assessment Tool to determine what action you or a loved one should take.

Measles Exposure Risk Assessment Tool

Measles cases have been reported in the Interior region.

View the IH media centre to read the latest news about measles cases in the Interior region

The following links list known exposure locations for measles in B.C., including the Interior Health region, and Canada, where public health officials have been unable to identify and contact everyone who may have been exposed.

• Measles – B.C. exposures including the Interior Health region
• Measles Exposures in Alberta | Alberta Health Services – Alberta exposures
• Measles Exposures in Ontario | Public Health Ontario – Ontario exposures
• Measles | Health | Province of Manitoba – Manitoba exposures
• Measles | SaskHealthAuthority – Saskatchewan exposures
• Measles outbreak | Gouvernement du Québec – Quebec exposures

The best way to not get measles is to get immunized. Two doses of a measles-containing vaccine offer almost 100 per cent protection.

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunizations are given to infants and children according to the recommended B.C. immunization schedule. Infants 12 months old receive the MMR vaccine and children 4–6 years of age receive the MMRV vaccine, which includes varicella against chickenpox. 

It is important to get your child vaccinated. Getting your child vaccinated, and vaccinated on time, is one of the most important things that you can do to make sure that they are protected from measles.

Interior Health offers the measles vaccine by appointment and through clinics (appointment-based and drop-in). Many primary care, walk-in clinics and pharmacies also carry the measles vaccine. Please call ahead to make sure the vaccine is available before you visit.

Booking Appointments   

• Infants and children: If your child has not had two doses of measles-containing vaccine, they are not fully protected. Contact your local Community Health Centre to book an appointment. 
• People four years old and older: Children four years and older and adults may be able to get the vaccine at a pharmacy. Find a pharmacy near you and call ahead to see if the vaccine is available. 

Immunization Clinics

Interior Health is offering measles immunization catch-up clinics, some which are by appointment and others where you can drop in without an appointment. We will be participating in various community events where we look forward to answering any questions you may have about measles, immunizations or other public health services.

Click on the region below to view upcoming clinics and events. Please note: The priority of these clinics is to immunize children under the age of four. Children four years and older and adults may be able to get the vaccine at a pharmacy. Find a pharmacy near you and call ahead to see if the vaccine is available. Call your local health centre to book an appointment if you don’t see your community listed, or if your local pharmacy does not have appointments available.

• Babies as young as six months should get vaccinated against measles before travelling to places or countries where measles is spreading. This dose is not included in the routine two doses but will add to the protection against measles while travelling.  
• If it is the child's first dose, it’s best to get immunized at least two weeks before travel to give the child's body time to build immunity.
• Children between the ages of 12 months and four years who have had their first dose can also get their second dose before travelling internationally ahead of the routine dose.
• Before international travel, adults should ensure they have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.

• You can check your immunity status and records through Health Gateway
• Parents and caregivers should check their child's immunization records through Health Gateway or through their local public health unit or family doctor
• If you have immunization records for your child that are not recorded in their Health Gateway profile, you can submit those records online by sending them to https://immunizationrecord.gov.bc.ca/ 

Accessing your immunization records