Measles advisory issued: have you been immunized?
The lower mainland has recently seen several reported cases of measles, a highly infectious viral infection that is no longer common in Canada due to high immunization rates. VCH has alerted doctors, emergency departments, infection control, childcare facilities/schools and water taxis of its presence. VCH staff are encouraged to check their vaccination status by dropping into a VCH immunization clinic, where you can receive FREE individualized immunizations.
Key Facts
- Measles is a vaccine preventable infection
- Measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) is recommended for everyone born after 1957. Those born before 1957 are considered immune.
- Workplace Health provides FREE immunizations to staff for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and other recommended immunizations based on your baseline health history.
Measles symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and a red maculopapular rash. The rash starts on the third or fourth day of illness, initially in the hairline, but spreads rapidly to cover the face, trunk and limbs. The rash has spots that look like grains of salt on a red inflamed background and appear on the mucosa of the cheek next to the upper premolars and molars early in the illness. They fade as the rash appears. Further bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, may also develop.
Help spread the word
VCH is committed to promoting better health for our communities – help us spread the word and promote MMR vaccinations to staff, patients and residents at risk.
The VCH immunization clinic schedule is available on the Workplace Health intranet site. If you have any questions about your vaccination status, please email ohnp@vch.ca.