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Check vaccinations before heading back to school: chief public health officer
Reimer says 85% of Canadian two-year-olds are protected against measles, below the 95% needed for herd immunity.
On Tuesday, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Joss Reimer urged parents to update routine childhood vaccinations as children return to school, advising them to verify records with primary-care providers.
While measles infection rates appear to be decreasing, the virus remains "incredibly infectious," and parents often struggle to navigate online misinformation to find accurate, science-based health advice.
National measles immunization rates for two-year-olds sit at about 85 per cent, missing the 95 per cent target needed for herd immunity, while rates for other serious bacterial infections remain below 80 per cent for Canadian toddlers.
Reimer noted that competing priorities, such as financial struggles, often push preventive care off to-do lists, emphasizing that family doctors remain the most trusted sources for accurate information.
Beyond measles, officials worry that mumps, rubella, and diphtheria could take hold, noting current outbreaks in Australia; public health workers are connecting with community leaders to share fact-based information protecting children.