Ensure you’re vaccinated against measles: B.C. health minister

As the number of cases of a highly contagious virus continues to climb across the world, including British Columbia, the province’s health minister is sending out a warning, and a reminder, to get vaccinated.

Health Minister Adrian Dix is calling on everyone to make sure they’re vaccinated against the measles.

Dix says measles isn’t something the province should be dealing with, but considering the province has already seen one case so far this year, who’s to say we won’t be seeing more anytime soon.

“We have quite a high level of vaccination here, but we need it to be very high,” he said Thursday.

Dix says the province did see an outbreak several years ago in the upper Fraser Valley, mainly because people weren’t getting vaccinated but the health minister says eventually got things turned around.

“We’re going to continue to work hard to ensure every child gets vaccinated against the measles. And, because we live in a province where people come from across the world, because of that, it’s even more important that people get vaccinated.”

Measles causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Its complications can include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain damage, and even death.

Dix says you can check you health records online to see if you’re vaccinated and, if you’re not or can’t tell, get the shot.

Dix’s reminder comes as the number of confirmed measles cases in Canada so far this year is more than three times higher than all infections recorded in 2023, the country’s chief public health officer said earlier this week, as she too urged people to ensure their vaccinations are up to date. 

The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of 40 confirmed cases across the country in 2024,  Dr. Theresa Tam said on Wednesday.  

Tam said she is concerned that not enough school-aged children have been adequately vaccinated against the highly contagious virus. 

“I strongly advise parents or caregivers to ensure that children in their care have received all measles vaccines according to schedule,” she said in an interview. 

With files from The Canadian Press