The provincial Ministry of Health is reminding Saskatchewan resident to ensure they are up to date on their measles immunizations. This comes on the heels of outbreaks of the disease being reported in British Columbia, and some parts of the United States.

There are no confirmed cases of the disease in Saskatchewan. The last confirmed outbreak of the measles was in 2014 when there were 16 reported cases.

“Because measles is a serious, infectious illness, we are urging all residents to ensure that their immunization and their children’s immunizations are up-to-date,” Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said.  “We are aware of measles cases in Canada and the U.S., and we are monitoring the situation here closely. Vaccines are safe and have saved more lives in Canada in the last 60 years than any other medical intervention.”

The measles vaccine is included in the MMRV vaccination. This vaccine is given to children at 12 months of age, and 18 months of age. By the time children in Saskatchewan start school, they should have received two doses of a measles vaccine. However, the vaccination rate for those entering school is only 92%, while the rate is 95% for when children are finished school.

The province recommends those who are travelling with infants between the ages of six and 11 months to areas outside of North America and the Caribbean should contact their local public health office to see if vaccination is needed.