Keeping Our Village Healthy – The Resurgence of Measles

Introducing a new column by Sherbourne Health’s Chief Medical Officer and Staff Physician Laura Pripstein. Keeping Our Village Healthy will share health info you can use to make the best choices for you and your family, and hopefully provide a great jumping off point to talk to your provider about health issues you may be facing, or at risk for.

 It takes a village….

There are few things more fulfilling to me as a family doctor then when a patient rolls up their sleeve for a vaccine and they get “the jab”. I know that they are getting the best health care we can provide. It is almost equally as fulfilling when they get vaccinated after a conversation where I, as their doctor, have been able to listen to their concerns, address common misconceptions, acknowledge and dispel untruths that they’ve picked up on social media and even what they may have heard from some prominent politicians south of the border. I’m not able to convince everyone that vaccines are safe, but COVID certainly provided me, and other primary care providers, many  opportunities to hone these skills. These conversations continue with each passing respiratory illness season – otherwise known as winter.  

I’m now getting questions from patients about another virus we thought was something from the past – Measles. Unfortunately, this virus is making a comeback in Canada. Of note, Canada has reported 227 cases of measles (as of March 6, 2025), and at this time last year there were only four reported measles cases.  

With recent measles activity in Ontario and international travel anticipated over March break and into spring, Ontario Health and local public health agencies are encouraging all health care providers to support patients in receiving all routine vaccinations (including measles).

Part of these conversations doctors have with patients includes sharing the scientific data as we see it today. In other words, why should we care about this? Isn’t it just a simple viral illness that will cause a rash and go away?  

Well, not exactly.

Measles is a serious respiratory infection that is highly contagious. People spread the virus by coughing or sneezing into the air. It can also be transmitted by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching an infected surface. Complications can be very serious, including pneumonia, brain swelling, permanent hearing loss and even death, especially in young children or those with weakened immune systems. Getting vaccinated with the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your community against measles.

I look forward to continuing to have these conversations with anyone who will listen. I also urge all of you to have similar conversations with your friends, neighbors, family members – and yes, your doctor. Resources are available on the Ontario Medical Association website with tips on how to have these conversations around vaccine hesitancy.  

Because it takes a village… To keep a village healthy.