An increasing number of measles cases are being reported in B.C., and there has been a resurgence in measles cases worldwide, leaving many people wondering what their vaccination status is and whether or not they need a measles vaccine.
As of March 28, five cases of measles had been confirmed in B.C., with 224 confirmed cases across Canada so far in 2025 (up from a total of 146 confirmed cases in Canada in 2024). The reported cases largely occurred in people who were unimmunized or under-immunized.
Measles is an extremely contagious virus that can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and even death. The measles virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus can linger in the air and remain infectious for up to two hours after the infected person leaves the area. People who are most at risk from measles are those who are completely unvaccinated against the disease and who have no immunity from past exposures.
The measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, and it is estimated that between 2000 and 2023, measles vaccinations prevented more than 60 million deaths worldwide. Because of the high infectivity rate, the threshold for community protection (“herd immunity”) is 95 per cent.
However, in the Interior Health (IH) region of B.C., it is estimated that measles vaccine coverage is only 79.4 per cent for those aged two, and 58.4 per cent for those aged seven and older. The measles vaccine is the most effective way to protect against the disease: it is safe, and nearly 100 per cent effective.
Immunization records provide a history of all the vaccines a person has received. B.C. residents can access their records through the Health Gateway portal (if the immunizations were given in B.C.). If you moved to B.C. from another province or country, try to get your records sent to you.
If a person does not have, or cannot get, their immunization record they are considered to be unimmunized and unprotected. If you can’t find an immunization record, or are unsure about what immunizations you have received, you should get vaccinated to ensure protection. It is safe to repeat vaccines, so there is no risk if you were already immunized.
If you were born prior to 1957, you are assumed to have lifelong immunity, because measles was so contagious that almost everyone contracted it before the age of 15. If you were born between 1957 and 1970, it is likely that you were either vaccinated, or acquired natural immunity to measles.
For this reason, the measles vaccine is not routinely recommended for anyone born before 1970, even if they do not know their immunization status. However, travellers to destinations outside Canada should ensure they are vaccinated, regardless of when they were born.
The measles vaccine is provided as a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and is in two doses. It is recommended that children receive their first dose at one year, and the second dose when they are between four and six years old. Children who will be travelling to parts of the world where measles is more common can get their first dose at six months, and can get their second dose when they are between one and four years old.
People born in 1970 or later who are unimmunized, or who do not know their immunization statues, should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine. One dose is not enough to ensure adequate coverage. According to IH, if you have had zero doses of the MMR vaccine you are very susceptible to an infection if you are exposed to a case of measles. If you have one dose you have 85 to 95 per cent protection; with two doses you approach 100 per cent protection.
In B.C. everyone — infants, children, and adults — can get publicly-funded (free) vaccines from their local health unit or health centre. Locally, appointments can be booked at the Ashcroft Health Centre at 700 Ashcroft-Cache Creek Highway; call (250) 453-1940 to book an appointment.
Some doctors and nurse practitioners also give vaccines to infants, children, and adults. Children aged four and older, as well as adults, can be vaccinated at a pharmacy. In First Nations communities, infants, children, and adults can also be immunized by their community health nurse at their community health centre or nursing station.
