Measles vaccine available at clinics for specific groups of at-risk people

The Region of Waterloo Public Health is targeting specific groups of people to help curb the spread of the measles.

The health agency is expanding eligibility following the province’s decision to set up clinics for priority groups who are at risk of getting the measles and spreading it. People are encouraged to book an appointment at a clinic online.

Groups able to get the vaccine at the specialized clinics are those without a primary care physician, infants (aged six months to one year), children (ages one to four) and adults born on or after 1970.

“The best protection against measles is the highly effective and safe MMR vaccination,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Medical Officer for Region of Waterloo Public Health. “The MMR vaccine greatly reduces the risk of getting measles and helps protect the broader community from further exposures.”

Clinics are running at 150 Main St. in Cambridge and 20 Weber St. in Kitchener for people without a primary care physician. The appointments are about 20 minutes in length.

This comes as the region is noting an uptick in measles cases over the last several weeks.

As of May 21, the Region of Waterloo Public Health unit reported 19 new cases in the last week, bringing the total number of cases to 78. In addition, the health unit is also reporting 22 probable cases, increasing the total case count to 100.

Nearby Guelph did not report any increase in cases over the last week as of May 20. The area is at risk of high transmission, according to officials.

“As we continue to see an increased number of measles cases across the community, we are also seeing an increase of measles exposures in community settings. Residents and businesses are encouraged to check potential exposure locations regularly to see if they have been exposed,” said David Aoki, Director of Infectious Diseases and Chief Nursing Officer.

The health agency’s weekly measles report, released May 22, says the virus continues to spread primarily among people who have not been immunized. The majority of people infected with measles throughout the outbreak are infants, children and adolescents.