York Region holds free measles vaccination clinics

York Region is urging residents to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated against measles amid an “unprecedented outbreak” of measles cases in Ontario.

It’s providing free measles vaccines this summer for residents aged 12 months to 55 years who are eligible, overdue or do not have a regular health care provider. It’s also offering additional childhood vaccines at summer clinics for children aged 12 months to 18 years.

As of June 24, Ontario had reported 2,212 measles cases related to the outbreak affecting many areas in the province, according to the York Region Public Health Measles Update. There have been an additional 75 additional measles cases associated with travel or an unknown source since 2024. Most cases are in southwestern Ontario and involve individuals who are unvaccinated. That’s considered “unprecedented” because measles was declared eliminated in Canada in 1998, according to the Measles Update.

So far this year in York Region, there have been three confirmed measles cases, including one linked to the Ontario outbreak. In addition, York Region identified 25 sites where people may have been exposed to measles, followed up with more than 2,000 individuals and investigated 79 possible cases, connecting them to testing and care.

“There is clearly more work to be done to protect our communities, especially those at high risk and unable to receive a vaccine,” says York Region Chairman and CEO Eric Jolliffe. “Protecting our communities from measles starts with vaccination. It is a collective effort to ensure the health and safety of our residents, especially the most vulnerable.”

Public Health is required under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to respond to all reports of confirmed and suspected measles cases and measles exposures in York Region. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious complications such as lung infections, encephalitis (brain inflammation), deafness and can be fatal.

Public health management of measles requires time sensitive investigation of potential exposure locations, suspect and confirmed cases and follow up with contacts of cases of measles across York Region to prevent further spread and complications, the Measles Update says.

“Measles is a serious but preventable illness with the vaccine being over 97 per cent effective after two doses,” says York Region’s Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sarah Erdman. “With cases continuing to rise provincially, it is critical we work together to ensure our community is aware of how to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

For the 2024 to 2025 school year, York Region Public Health assessed how many students had received the measles vaccine when entering school at age seven and leaving school at age 17. The current vaccination rate is about 90 per cent, which is slightly below the 95 per cent needed to prevent measles from spreading in the community.

For more information about measles, including symptoms and who is at risk of becoming infected, visit york.ca/Measles. For more information on immunization clinics, including those located in the City of Markham, visit york.ca/SleevesUp.