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Canada expected to lose long-standing measles-elimination status

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. se-long-standing-measles-elimination-status.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, November 10th 2025 at 2:39 GMT by The Globe and Mail
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Canada’s Measles Elimination Status: A Mixed Record of Success and Emerging Challenges

Canada has long been regarded as a leader in public health, and its status as a measles‑eliminated country is a testament to that reputation. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially certified Canada as measles‑eliminated in 2015, a milestone that meant the country had interrupted endemic transmission of the virus for at least 12 consecutive months. Since then, the country has reported very few cases, and routine vaccination coverage has remained high, averaging around 94 % for the DTaP‑Measles‑Polio (MMR) vaccine among children. However, a recent series of outbreaks, rising vaccine hesitancy, and the lingering effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic have raised questions about how durable Canada’s elimination status truly is.

The Path to Elimination

The journey to elimination began in earnest in the 1990s, when Canada launched a national immunization strategy that mandated the MMR vaccine for all children under five and introduced catch‑up campaigns for older children and adolescents. The public‑health infrastructure—comprising provincial immunization registries, community health clinics, and school‑based vaccination programs—was strengthened in tandem with these efforts. The result was a steady decline in measles cases, from over 1,200 reported cases in 2000 to just a handful in the early 2010s.

The WHO’s measles elimination criteria required that countries not only stop endemic transmission but also maintain a surveillance system capable of detecting and responding to any imported cases promptly. Canada met these requirements through a combination of active surveillance, laboratory confirmation, and rapid outbreak response protocols. These measures were credited with preventing local transmission even after the virus was introduced by travelers.

Recent Outbreaks and Emerging Threats

Despite the successes, the past decade has seen a series of localized outbreaks that threaten Canada’s elimination status. In 2019, an outbreak in Saskatchewan tied to an international traveler led to 24 confirmed cases and a handful of hospitalizations. More recently, in 2023, Ontario experienced an outbreak that began in a community with low vaccination coverage and spread to several schools, ultimately affecting 43 individuals. While the overall number of cases remains low—Canada reported 18 cases in 2022 and 14 in 2023—each outbreak underscores the fragility of the elimination status.

Vaccine hesitancy is a key driver of these outbreaks. A 2022 survey conducted by the Canadian Immunization Research Network found that 17 % of parents in Ontario reported they would not vaccinate their children against measles, citing concerns about vaccine safety and distrust in government recommendations. In communities with higher levels of hesitancy, coverage falls below the 90 % threshold needed to prevent herd immunity, creating pockets where the virus can circulate.

Impact of COVID‑19 on Immunization

The COVID‑19 pandemic disrupted routine immunization services worldwide, and Canada was no exception. During the peak of the pandemic, many parents delayed or missed childhood vaccinations, and clinic closures further reduced access. While catch‑up campaigns and expanded clinic hours have helped recoup some losses, the long‑term effects of the pandemic on immunization confidence remain uncertain. Data from the Public Health Agency of Canada indicate that in 2021, only 85 % of children in some provinces received the second dose of the MMR vaccine on schedule, a drop from 94 % in 2019.

Policy Responses and Future Directions

Recognizing the mounting risks, several provinces have enacted new policies to protect vulnerable populations. Ontario’s Health Ministry introduced a mandatory vaccination requirement for students attending public schools, with an opt‑out clause only for medical exemptions. Alberta has expanded its community outreach programs, partnering with faith‑based organizations to promote vaccination. Across the country, public health officials emphasize the importance of maintaining high coverage through school‑based vaccination drives and public awareness campaigns.

The Canadian Immunization Program’s 2025–2027 strategic plan sets a goal of increasing coverage to 97 % in all provinces, with a particular focus on hard‑to‑reach communities. The plan includes investment in digital tools to track immunization status, streamlined access to vaccines through mobile clinics, and targeted communication strategies to address misinformation.

International Collaboration and Surveillance

Canada’s measles elimination status also benefits from robust international collaboration. The country shares surveillance data with the WHO’s Global Measles and Rubella Surveillance Network, which helps track global trends and potential importation risks. In turn, Canada receives alerts about outbreaks abroad that could pose a threat to domestic populations. The WHO’s guidance on post‑exposure prophylaxis—administering MMR vaccine or immunoglobulin within 72 hours of exposure—remains a key tool in limiting the spread of imported cases.

Conclusion

Canada’s measles elimination status is a clear achievement, reflecting decades of sustained public‑health effort. Yet the recent outbreaks, rising vaccine hesitancy, and the after‑effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic remind policymakers and health professionals that elimination is not a static milestone but an ongoing commitment. Maintaining high vaccination coverage, strengthening surveillance, and proactively addressing public concerns will be essential to safeguarding Canada’s progress and ensuring that measles remains a disease of the past.