Vaccine-preventable diseases

Symptoms of measles can appear seven to 21 days after being exposed to the measles virus. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red / watery eyes
• Small white spots on the inside of the mouth / throat (known as Koplik spots). These spots are not always present.
• Blotchy red rash - In darker skin colours, the redness may be harder to see, or it may appear purple or darker than surrounding skin. This rash appears about three to seven days after the other symptoms develop.

It's important to monitor for these symptoms in yourself and children, especially after returning home from travelling within or outside of Canada, or if you were at a known exposure location.

If you develop symptoms:

• Stay home and avoid contact with others, especially with those who are most at risk
• Don't go to work, school or child care for at least four days after your rash starts. This is because you could spread measles to others. The onset of a rash is day zero.
• Contact your health care provider. Make sure to call ahead before going to a clinic. This is so the health care staff can take appropriate precautions to prepare for your visit. This may include seeing you when there are fewer patients in the office and providing a mask for you to wear when you arrive.

Measles spreads very easily. People who have measles can spread it from four days before a rash appears to four days after they get a rash. People can get sick with measles by:

• Breathing the air in a location where someone with measles has recently been, even up to two hours after that person has left the room
• Coming into contact with an infected person's cough or sneeze
• Touching an infected surface, and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. The measles virus can live on infected surfaces for at least two hours.

Some people are at higher risk of developing severe disease. These include:

• Infants under 12 months of age
• Immunocompromised individuals
• Pregnant individuals - People who get measles while pregnant may suffer from a miscarriage, go into premature labour or give birth to an infant with low birth weight.
• Anyone who has not had their age appropriate vaccines

Check your immunization records

Make sure you and your children are up to date with measles-containing vaccine (MMR or MMRV). Your personal immunization record (yellow card) can give you this information. You may be able to access your immunization record using Immunization Connect.

• Older adults checking their immunization record may find this vaccination written as 'red measles' or 'rubeola'. German measles, also known as rubella, is a different disease.
• Individuals without an immunization record of their measles-containing vaccine(s) may need to repeat vaccination. It's not harmful to receive an additional dose(s).
• If you're pregnant or immunocompromised, discuss measles vaccination recommendations with your health care provider
• Check with your employer or post secondary institution as they may need different vaccine recommendations.
• Public Health may recommend a different vaccination schedule if you've been exposed or identified as a contact

Infants (6 to 11 months)

One dose of MMR vaccine may be considered if an infant is travelling to countries where disease is of concern.

Two additional doses of measles-containing vaccine are required starting on an individual's first birthday:

• One dose of MMR vaccine at one year of age, given at least four weeks after the previous dose
• One dose of MMRV vaccine, given between four and six years of age (preferred before starting school if they are four years of age)

Children and youth

• The first dose of measles-containing vaccine is given at 12 months of age
• A second dose is routinely given between four to six years of age
• The second dose may be given as soon as children turn four years of age
• Children and youth who have not received measles-containing vaccine according to this timeline are recommended to receive two doses at the appropriate intervals

Travelling? If your child is between one and four years of age and travelling to countries where disease is of concern, two doses of MMR vaccine may be considered. Talk to your health care provider for more information.

Adults (18 to 25 years)

Adults aged 18 to 25 years who have not had a measles-containing vaccine should receive two doses of MMR.

If only one dose was previously received, individuals in this age group are recommended to receive a second dose.

Adults aged 26+ (Born 1970 or after)

Adults who have not had a measles-containing vaccine can be immunized by receiving one dose of measles-containing vaccine.

A second dose is recommended for:

• Health care workers
• Post-secondary students
• Military personnel
• Anyone travelling to areas where disease is of concern
• Anyone based on their health care provider's clinical judgement

Adults born before 1970

Those born before 1970 are generally considered to be immune and do not need a vaccine.

The following is recommended for susceptible individuals:

• Two doses for health care workers and military personnel
• One dose for travellers to areas where disease is of concern
• One dose for adult students in post-secondary educational settings should be considered

If you need a measles-containing vaccine, visit your health care provider or go to a walk-in clinic.

If you don't have a health care provider, see doctors accepting new patients and walk-in clinics.

Mpox spreads from person-to-person, mainly through direct physical contact with an infected person's:

• Scabs / skin lesions or bodily fluids
• Materials that are contaminated with the virus, such as bedding or clothes

Mpox can also spread through respiratory droplets, like through a cough or sneeze. However, the virus does not spread efficiently this way.

Learn more about mpox.

To get the best protection, eligible individuals are recommended to get two doses of the Imvamune® vaccine. Some types of travel may meet the high-risk criteria.

If it has been more than 28 days since you received your first dose, you don't need to restart the series. Get your second dose as soon as possible.

The mpox vaccine is not available to individuals looking to get vaccinated for travel purposes only / who do not meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligible individuals can book an appointment for their first or second dose at:

• At a Public Health vaccination clinic by calling 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7425
• By contacting a sexual health centre

Bring your immunization record (for example, yellow card, Immunization Connect printout or health care provider documents) to your appointment, if available.