The provincial government announced in a release today they were making more people eligible for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines. This is due to the increasing number of cases of measles in Manitoba.
Infants from six months to under 12 months of age in Southern Health-Santé Sud (SH-SS) and Interlake Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA) are now eligible for these vaccines. The vaccine is also now available to children aged six months to under 12 months of age who travel regularly to and have close contact with residents of the SH-SS or IERHA health regions.
In their release, the province stressed the early dose does not include protection from varicella as the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine is not recommended for use in infants under 12 months of age. All infants should still receive two doses of MMRV after their first birthday and at least four weeks after the previous dose of any measles vaccine to ensure long-lasting immunity.
To learn more about measles, including information on symptoms, treatment, prevention and current cases and exposures within Manitoba, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/measles.html.
