The Saskatchewan government is making measles vaccinations available to infants aged six to 11 months who live, are travelling to, or have contact with people in areas with a high risk for measles exposure.
Previously, the vaccine was first offered to infants at 12 months of age.
“Providing parents with the option for an additional dose of measles vaccine for infants helps to protect those who cannot protect themselves,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill stated in a news release on Wednesday.
Routine measles vaccinations at 12 and 18 months will still be needed for further protection.
The move comes as the province grapples with a surge in measles cases. From March 14 to May 28, Saskatchewan reported 46 confirmed measles cases.
According to the provincial government, areas with high risk of exposure in Saskatchewan include Assiniboia, Canora, Kindersley, St. Walburg, Ponteix and Wakaw.
Alberta has reported more than 749 measles cases since early March. In response, Alberta Health Services made a new early dose of measles vaccines available for infants six to 11 months of age in high-risk areas. Saskatchewan has now followed suit.
“This is similar to what is already being offered to some infants travelling internationally or to other parts of Canada with higher measles case numbers,” Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said in a news release.
Measles symptoms include:
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Runny nose.
- Red eyes.
- Blotchy, red rash that appears a few days after the fever starts. In darker skin colours, it may appear purple or darker than surrounding skin.
More information on measles and vaccination services can be found at saskatchewan.ca/measles.
