*A previous version of this story referenced the Ontario Health Coalition naming Public Health Ontario as the agency responsible for declining immunization rates. That reference has been removed. We apologize for the error.
The Ontario Health Coalition is calling on Public Health leaders to give clear and urgent preventative advice around measles as the outbreak continues.
Executive Director Natalie Mehra feels the province is to blame for the declining vaccination rates.
Audio PlayerThe vast majority of the more than 800 confirmed cases involve unvaccinated children and adults.
There were 155 additional confirmed cases from April 3rd to April 10th. 92.5% of cases in children and teens were unvaccinated, while 62% of the confirmed adult cases unimmunized.
Merha said there’s also been confusion around measles vaccination status around the older population.
“People are confused as to what they should do. Public Health needs to make clear and highly visible the fact that the virus is airborne and easily transmitted. There are far too many people who are not immunized and the language being used regarding people born before or after 1970 is confusing and unclear for regular people.”
She contends there needs to be better education and messaging from the province about the virus itself.
Audio PlayerMehra says a lot of people don’t take measles seriously.
Audio PlayerOverall vaccination rates in Ontario have declined since 2017, with data showing the vaccination rates for routine infant and childhood immunizations in the 2023-24 school year hovered at or below 70% for various diseases, including measles.
Written by Grant Deme
