Morrison urges Islanders to stay up to date on measles vaccine

It's only a matter of time before measles spreads to P.E.I., the province's chief public health officer predicts.

The last two cases on the Island were in 2013, but with cases popping up across North America, Dr. Heather Morrison expects the virus to return to P.E.I. after families return from March Break travel.

"I do think that really it may be a matter of when and not if a case of measles infection comes to Prince Edward Island."

Morrison said it's unlikely there will be an outbreak, given P.E.I.'s high rate of vaccination, but "even one case has significant potential."

"I give this example: if I have measles and I go into a room and there are 100 other people there, measles is extremely contagious and it means that if those other people in the room were not immunized, 90 out of the 100 would develop measles."

Will P.E.I. see a measles case? Dr. Heather Morrison says it's likely

11 months ago

Duration 2:45

With cases of measles on the rise in some parts of the world, P.E.I. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrsion talks about the likelihood of seeing a case on the Island, and what people should know about vaccination.

For several years, Islanders have been vaccinated at 12 months and 18 months of age. Morrison said the vaccine is 97 per cent effective with both doses.

Morrison said Islanders born in 1970 or before are considered to have natural immunity from measles, and would only need one dose of vaccine if they plan to travel outside Canada. Anyone born after 1970 who hasn't had measles or received two doses of vaccine should get two doses.

Measles: Understanding the most contagious preventable disease | About That

11 months ago

Duration 10:16

There are early signals that measles — one of the world's most contagious but preventable diseases — may be spreading in parts of Canada. Andrew Chang breaks down the way the virus attacks the body and what makes it so contagious.