Why is Saskatchewan offering a dose of measles-containing vaccine to infants six to 11 months of age?
- Since this age group is among the most at risk for severe disease, they are eligible for a dose of MMR vaccine as part of Saskatchewan’s outbreak response if they live in, travel to, or are in close contact with residents that live in an area with a high risk of measles exposure.
- While measles-containing vaccines work best when given at or after 12 months of age, providing an early dose offers some protection.
- Routine measles immunization given at 12 and 18 months of age is still needed to provide lifetime protection.
My child is under one year of age. Should my child get a measles vaccine now?
- No. Wait until your child is 12 months old to get their first measles vaccine as per the routine provincial immunization schedule. However, if you are living in, travelling to, or may have close contact with residents in areas where there is a high risk of measles exposure you should seek advice from your public health office or call Healthline 811 for instructions.
- For more information on high-risk areas in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario please go to the following websites:
My child is under one year of age and we are planning to travel to a country outside of Canada. Should my child get a measles vaccine now?
- Discuss with a Travel Health Centre or seek advice from your public health office. After discussion of the risks and benefits, a measles vaccine may be recommended for an infant who is six months to less than one year of age. Your child will still need to receive two doses of measles vaccine as per the routine provincial immunization schedule.
- Information for international travellers is available on the Health Canada Measles: Symptoms and Treatment page
My child is 6 to 11 months of age but we do not live in an area with measles cases and are not planning to travel. Can my child still get the measles vaccine?
- An early MMR dose is reserved for those at highest risk of measles exposure.
- If you do not live in, plan to visit, or in close contact with a resident who lives in an area with measles cases, your child’s risk for being exposed to measles is low.
My child is under 6 months of age. Can they get the measles vaccine?
No. The vaccine does not work well for infants under 6 months of age due to antibodies, received from their mother, interfering with the vaccine.
I am pregnant. Does measles put my unborn baby at risk?
- Yes, your unborn baby could be at risk if you are not immune to measles. Measles infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. Birth defects are rare, but possible.
- If you are immune to measles, either through having had disease or from previous vaccination, you will pass on short term measles protection to your baby. This protection will disappear after the first few months of your baby's life.
- Pregnant individuals who are not immune to measles and are exposed may receive immunoglobulin within six days of exposure to provide short term protection. The measles vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Why am I assumed to be immune if I was born before 1970?
- Individuals born before 1970 are likely to have been exposed to measles in childhood and are considered to have a natural immunity to it. However, the following individuals should seek advice from their public health office:
- Born in 1965 to 1969 in areas with high risk of measles exposure who do not have documented immunity or have less than 2 doses of documented vaccine, AND work in a school.
- Born in 1957-1969 who are travelling outside of Canada
- Health care workers, childcare workers and post-secondary students regardless of their year of birth, are eligible for two lifetime does of measles-containing vaccine.
Why is the measles vaccine being offered to individuals born in 1965 to 1969?
- As part of Saskatchewan’s outbreak response, based on current epidemiological data, one dose of MMR may be given to adults born in 1965 to 1969 in areas at high risk of measles exposure who do not have documented immunity or have less than 2 doses of documented vaccine, and are working in a school.
Do my childhood measles and rubella vaccinations protect me?
- Individuals born in 1970 or later are considered to be immune if they have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine.
- The criteria for these doses are:
- the first dose was provided after the individual's first birthday; and
- the second dose was provided at least four weeks after the first dose.
- If these criteria have been met, no further vaccinations are required for individuals born in 1970 or later.
- If you do not have a documented record of 2 doses of measles vaccine, please contact your local public health office for advice.
I have not been to the locations indicated in the public advisories during the dates and times mentioned. Should I be concerned about getting measles?
- Your risk for getting measles is low if you are fully vaccinated. You need to be sure that you and your family members are up-to-date on your immunizations. Contact your public health office as needed.
- In addition, if you do develop signs and symptoms of measles, you should stay at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work. Call ahead before visiting your health care provider’s office to limit spread or call HealthLine 811 to make arrangements for assessment and testing.
I am not vaccinated against measles and I have been to the locations indicated in the public advisories, during the dates and times mentioned. What should I do?
- If you were born in 1970 or later, contact HealthLine 811 as soon as possible for guidance. Individuals born before 1970 are likely to have been exposed to measles in childhood and are considered to have a natural immunity to it.
- If you develop signs and symptoms of measles, you should stay at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work. Call ahead before visiting your health care provider’s office to limit spread or call HealthLine 811 to make arrangements for assessment and testing.
I am unsure of my measles vaccination status, and I have been to the locations indicated in the public advisories during the dates and times mentioned. What should I do?
- If you were born in 1970 or later, contact HealthLine 811 as soon as possible for guidance. Individuals born before 1970 are likely to have been exposed to measles in childhood and are considered to have a natural immunity to it.
Note: Public Health office hours of operation and capacity to provide immediate responses may be limited. Details for each service location can be accessed on the Immunizations - Services and Locations page of the Saskatchewan Health Authority website or by calling HealthLine 811.
- If you develop signs and symptoms of measles, you should stay at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work. Call ahead before visiting your health care provider’s office to limit spread or call HealthLine 811 to make arrangements for assessment and testing.
In what circumstances would I need to isolate myself at home?
- An unvaccinated person who is identified by their public health office as being a close contact of a person with measles may be required to stay at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work for 21 days (extended to 28 days if immunoglobulin is administered), depending on the circumstances, to prevent further transmission of measles. The time period for self-isolation depends on the time needed to demonstrate that the close contact has or has not developed symptoms of measles.
- All persons with measles are infectious for four days prior to, and four days after the appearance of the rash and are required to self-isolate at home, not be out in public, and not go to school or work during this time period.
In what circumstances would my child be excluded from school or daycare?
- A child infected with measles will be excluded from school or daycare by a health care provider or public health office until four days after the appearance of the rash.
- An unvaccinated child who is identified by the public health office as being a close contact of a person with measles will be excluded from school or daycare for 21 days (extended to 28 days if immunoglobulin is administered) and asked to isolate at home, depending on the circumstances, to prevent further transmission of measles.
How can I get a copy of my child's immunization records?
- Parents and legal guardians can request access to the health information of their children under the age of 14 in MySaskHealthRecord.
- Contact your public health office.
Note: Public Health office hours of operation and capacity to provide immediate responses may be limited. Details for each service location can be accessed on the Immunizations - Services and Locations page of the Saskatchewan Health Authority website or by calling HealthLine 811.
- If you and/or your child(ren) have moved to Saskatchewan from another province or country, please request your record from the province or country that you came from.
How can I get a copy of my own immunization record?
Quick Facts
- Measles is highly contagious.
- Measles can be very serious.
- Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.
- Anyone who thinks they may have measles should see their doctor. Call ahead before visiting your health care provider’s office to limit spread or call HealthLine 811 to make arrangements for assessment and testing.