Parents are encouraged to get their infants vaccinated sooner than usual after a rise in confirmed measles cases in London, Ont. The Middlesex-London Health Unit recommends babies aged six to 11 months be given the first dose of the measles vaccine early.
“We are seeing an increase in cases provincially as well as within London,” said Dr. Joanne Kearon, public health physician with the health unit. “As much as we continue to treat each case and trace contacts, we need the public to be careful.”
Normally, children receive their first measles vaccine at 12 months, followed by a second dose between ages four and six.
But Kearon explained that the current outbreak has prompted a change. “Because 
of the outbreak, we’re recommending that infants aged six to 11 months get an early dose of the vaccine,” she said.
Infants under this age bracket are more vulnerable as they have not yet taken their first vaccine and would be prone to severe complications if infected with the virus.
The health unit is also listing potential locations of exposure on its website, so individuals can check to see if they are at risk. “If you’re a candidate for post-expos
ure prophylaxis, we’ll get that arranged,” Kearon said. “And if you develop symptoms, we want testing to be simple and seamless. The quicker we act, the less chance there is for the virus to get a foothold.”
As of May 12, there are more than 1,440 confirmed measles cases in Ontario. The province’s top doctor predicts there could be up to 100 new cases each week. Health Canada continues to recommend regular immunization and catch-up immunization among children, especially as measles activity in Ontario continues to rise.
For more information about exposure and vaccination, visit healthunit.com.
