Should a childhood measles vaccination be mandatory?

• 26 days ago
• Radio
• Duration 35:35

In 1998, Canada achieved what health officials call "measles elimination status" but now the country could lose that designation. Ontario is reporting more measles cases each week than it once saw over an entire decade. And just earlier this month Ontario's Ministry of Health has announced the first recorded death of a measles patient. Alberta is also experiencing its worst measles outbreak since the mid 90s. And according to the Pan American Health Organization, Canada has more cases than any other country in the Americas. At the same time, vaccine hesitancy has grown nationally along with a drop in measles immunization rates which is prompting some to call for mandatory childhood measles vaccination. An Angus Reid poll conducted last month found that 69% of Canadians agreed that vaccinations should be mandatory for kids. Our question: Should a childhood measles vaccination be mandatory?