Nova Scotia encourages measles vaccination as the number of cases increases in Canada
With North American measles surge, health in Nova Scotia is asking people to get vaccinated, especially when they plan to travel.
Many Nova Scotia people listened to the phone at a mobile clinic in Dartmouth on Sunday.
Canada has recorded 227 measles cases this year, and many need to be hospitalized, according to a statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada. All 146 cases were reported in 2024.
The agency also noted that most cases were among children who were not vaccinated or under-vaccinated.
Nova Scotia’s Deputy Prime Minister of Health Jesse Kancir said Canadian cases were not reported in Nova Scotia. The last reported case in the province is in 2023.
However, he said this may change faster than later because measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted through the air.
“We hope to see it in the next few weeks as people come back from their March break,” Kansier said.
Cancier said measles is highly contagious and he hopes that as people return from March breaks, the capital of Nova Scotia will see cases.
Nova Scotia’s Deputy Prime Minister of Health Jesse Kancir said he hopes to see cases in the province as people return from their March break. (Giuliana Grillo de Lambarri/CBC)
Vaccination in the province
Kansier said the best way to prevent measles from spreading is through vaccination.
He said the province provides publicly funded measles vaccines through mobile clinics, pharmacists and other health providers.
The initial symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and in some cases, small white spots in the mouth and throat. In a few days, a rash will appear, starting from the face to the rest of the body.
A mobile clinic in MIC MAL MALL, Dartmouth, NJ
Several people were vaccinated with measles at a mobile clinic in Dartmouth on Sunday. (Giuliana Grillo de Lambarri/CBC)
Cansil said babies should receive two doses of the vaccine between 12-18 months. However, if babies six months or older are traveling outside Canada, he encourages them to receive a dose.
He also said it is recommended to take only one dose for adults over 55 years old, assuming they had previously exposed measles.
“Ninety-five percent of the coverage means that someone’s decision to vaccinate themselves ends up protecting others,” Kansier said.
Cansil said pregnant women, children under five years of age and children with weaker immune systems are at higher risk.
Leslie Sarkany said he is now receiving a measles vaccine because he is concerned about cases in other provinces and the United States.
Leslie Sarkany said he is now receiving a measles vaccine because he is concerned about cases in other provinces and the United States (Giuliana Grillo de Lambarri/CBC)
Leslie Sarkany visited the mobile clinic at MIC MAC MALL in Dartmouth, North Carolina to receive measles vaccines and other immunizations.
Sarkany is 70 years old. He said he wanted to protect himself and other particularly vulnerable people.
“All of these diseases seem to be coming back,” he said. “And, when they go my way, I want to be prepared.”
Sarkani said he is now motivated to get the vaccine, too, because he is concerned about its spread in the United States and other provinces. In Texas, an unvaccinated child died of measles.
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