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. If you think you have symptoms, including a rash, please call ahead if you plan to go to your doctor’s office, a walk-in clinic, urgent primary care centre or emergency department.

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. 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.   

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. 

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. Call ahead to see if the vaccine is available. 

Find a pharmacy near you  

• 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