Manitoba Parents Urged to Vaccinate Children Before School Resumes

As students prepare to return to school next week, health officials in Manitoba are urging parents to ensure their children receive the measles vaccine amid a significant rise in cases. The province has confirmed a total of 187 measles cases in 2023, highlighting a concerning trend in vaccination rates. Currently, only 65.4 percent of children aged seven are vaccinated, down from 74.3 percent in 2020.

Vaccination Rates and Health Risks

According to Dawn Bowdish, a professor at McMaster University, the necessity of achieving higher vaccination rates in schools cannot be overstated. “Measles is the most infectious virus that we know of,” she stated. “A person who has measles and is breathing in the air can leave enough measles in that air that a person two hours later can walk in the room and get measles.” This contagious nature poses a significant threat, especially in classroom settings where children interact closely.

The Southern Health Region of Manitoba currently reports the lowest vaccination rate in the province, with only 53.3 percent of children vaccinated in 2023. This decline raises alarms for health officials as they anticipate increased risk of outbreaks in unvaccinated communities.

Parents should be aware that while younger children may experience side effects from the vaccine, such as fever and irritability, the benefits far outweigh these risks. The first dose of the measles vaccine is typically recommended when a child is at least one year old, followed by a second dose between the ages of four and six.

Importance of Immunization

Natalie Casaclang, Manitoba’s Medical Officer of Health, emphasizes the life-saving potential of keeping vaccinations up to date. “Two doses are almost 100 percent effective in protecting from infection,” she noted. “We know there are people experiencing extreme illness from measles, so getting a measles-containing vaccine can protect against that.”

In light of these statistics, the Manitoba government encourages parents to visit the province’s health website for comprehensive information on vaccination schedules and resources. As the school year approaches, the call to action is clear: vaccinate to protect children and communities from the potential devastation of measles outbreaks.