measles

Wednesday March 6, 2024

The recent surge in measles cases in Canada, particularly in Montreal, underscores the urgent need to address vaccine hesitancy and combat anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, with historical evidence emphasizing the proven efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease and protecting public health.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 6, 2024

The Vital Role of Vaccines in Preventing Measles

The recent surge in measles cases in Canada, particularly in Montreal, underscores the urgent need to address vaccine hesitancy and combat anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, with historical evidence emphasizing the proven efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease and protecting public health.

News: Quebec reports 10 cases of measles in Montreal area, health officials urge vaccinations

December 2, 2021

The recent resurgence of measles in Quebec, with ten confirmed cases in Greater Montreal, serves as a stark reminder of the critical role vaccines play in public health. This outbreak, now the epicentre of a Canadian concern, has ignited discussions about the root causes, and it seems that vaccine hesitancy, fuelled by anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, is a significant factor.

As health officials scramble to contain the outbreak, the words of Quebec Public Health Director Luc Boileau echo with urgency. He warns that the disease could rapidly spread among the unvaccinated, emphasizing the need for swift action to address the situation. While Quebec currently does not mandate vaccination, the emphasis is on providing information, facilitating access to shots, and dispelling misconceptions.

November 30, 2021

The efficacy of vaccines, especially against measles, has been proven over the past 50 years. Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, a paediatrician and infectious disease specialist, emphasizes the safety, efficiency, and quick action of the measles vaccine. Yet, despite decades of evidence supporting vaccination, a significant challenge remains – vaccine hesitancy.

In Montreal and its suburbs, vaccination coverage in schools hovers around 80%, below the 95% required to prevent community transmission. The reasons are varied, from delays in translating foreign vaccination records to vaccine hesitancy, a phenomenon exacerbated by limited access for newly arrived children.

September 15, 2021

The virus’s high contagion rate, coupled with potential complications, especially in young children, underscores the importance of immunization. The harm extends beyond the individual; the immune-compromised face severe consequences, making vaccination not just a personal choice but a communal responsibility.

The historical success of vaccines, including the measles vaccine, should guide our present actions. However, the current landscape is clouded by misinformation and skepticism, particularly regarding COVID-19 vaccines. The rise in anti-vaccine sentiment, as evidenced by the unfounded chatter on social media, suggests a broader problem.

December 11, 2020

A simple fact-checking response might aid in emphasing the importance of relying on scientific evidence and expert consensus, and not on quackery baked up in Tik-Toks and You Tube clip served up by snake oil agents. It counters the notion that mRNA vaccines, a breakthrough in the fight against COVID-19, are ineffective or overhyped. The evidence points to the contrary, highlighting the role of mRNA technology in reducing mortality rates and controlling the virus’s spread.

As we grapple with the resurgence of measles and the challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy, the message is clear – vaccines save lives. The current outbreak should serve as a call to action, not just to address immediate concerns but to tackle the root causes of hesitancy and misinformation. In a world where viruses don’t develop resistance to vaccines, the path to overcoming outbreaks is through widespread and informed vaccination. (AI)

Letter to the Editor, The Hamilton Spectator, March 11, 2024

Vaccinations and our rights

Re: Hamilton, Brantford to host booster clinics after measles exposures (March 1)

The return of measles, which can be deadly or leave serious side effect like deafness, reveals that a major portion of the population is unvaccinated, especially children. As with COVID-19, those refusing vaccination on the basis of their democratic right of freedom ignore what democracy is about. Democracy indeed allows for freedom of ideas, speech, choice, movement, but equally, and the “no vaccines” crowd ignore it, is that these rights may not be exercised should they imperil other members of society or their rights.

February 8, 2022

You may think what you wish, but you may not spout hatred, not vocally nor in the media, nor in print, nor in blasting truck horns all night. You may not pull together enough fellow bigots to bring in voting regulations which deny the vote to fellow citizens, as we have witnessed in some U.S. states. You may not endanger the health of your fellow citizens; thus anti-pollution laws. Under freedom of choice, these non-thinkers are rejecting vaccination, a treatment to control an incredibly infectious disease which threatens all democratic rights, and because they continue to move about freely, they endanger the lives of fellow democratic citizens. In practice, I reject autocracy totally, but recognize the sneakily cynical thought that tyrants have one advantage, they can enforce essentials. Unfortunately, they cannot enforce intelligence. Equally unfortunate, there is no vaccine for pig-headed stupidity.

Dr. Helen Hatton, Hamilton

Thursday April 11, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday April 11, 2019

Ontario must take steps to hit vaccination targets and debunk measles myths

We’re losing the fight against measles. In this day and age, that’s an amazing statement. Three years ago we talked about them being almost eradicated. Now we’re losing the battle.

April 11, 2019

This week Ottawa reported measles cases. There have been outbreaks in British Columbia, in several U.S. states and in Europe. In New York City, a health emergency has been declared. 

And the worst part is that we know exactly why. A relatively small group of so-called anti-vaxxers is making effective use of — what else — social media to spread misinformation, which is leading to more and more parents not getting their kids vaccinated, and to more adults choosing not to be revaccinated.

A recent report from the Toronto Star shows that nearly 30 per cent of seven-year-old students in the Greater Toronto Area aren’t getting their shots. A vaccination rate of 90 to 95 per cent is needed to afford herd immunity, which is required to prevent outbreaks. Ontario is very far from that target. 

December 22, 2016

Actions are being taken. The Ontario Medical Association has launched a public awareness campaign, using traditional and non-traditional media, specifically taking at aim of some of the most common myths about vaccines. 

Myths that suggest measles and similar diseases aren’t really that dangerous. The fact is that complications happen in about 10 per cent of cases. For every 1,000 cases, one or two victims will die. Then there’s the widely-debunked claim that the measles vaccine causes autism. It doesn’t. There is no scientific evidence to support that claim. Large studies around the world have shown there is no link, and yet the life-threatening myth survives.

April 29, 2016

Or this: The idea that nosodes are a substitute for vaccination. Nosodes, also called homeopathic vaccines, are not a substitute for real vaccines. There is no scientific evidence to show they prevent infectious diseases. Nosodes are made from bacteria, viruses, tissue or other material from someone with a particular disease. They are so diluted there are no active ingredients left by the time they are administered.

Or this one: Breastfeeding protects babies from infection. While it offers some protection against certain types of infections, the protection is incomplete. Breastfeeding is not a substitute for vaccination.

February 6, 2015

And finally, this: We shouldn’t put foreign substances like vaccines into our bodies. It’s hard to believe anyone would fall for this, but they do. The germs that cause communicable diseases like measles are natural, but that doesn’t make them good. Plants and berries are natural things, but they yield some of the most poisonous substances. Vaccines, on the other hand, are made from natural sources, some from safely-altered germs. They stimulate our immune system in the same way the disease would, but without making us sick.

At this point, all the good work being done to educate the public isn’t stopping the new spread of measles. It may be time for tougher medicine.

April 30, 2009

There are two legal exemptions for not vaccinating kids. One is a medical exemption, which obviously must remain available. Another is non-medical exemptions, where parents must sign an affidavit saying vaccines conflict with their “sincerely held convictions.”

U.S. states like California, Mississippi and West Virginia have ended non-medical exemptions. And their vaccination rates have dramatically increased. Perhaps it’s time Ontario and other Canadian provinces did the same thing. (Source: Hamilton Spectator Editorial) 

Measles, disease, virus, vaccination, herd, immunization, vaccine, military

Friday, February 6, 2015

Friday, February 6, 2015By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday, February 6, 2015

Niagara’s first case of the measles in nearly 20 years is not a risk to Hamiltonians.

“There is no Hamilton exposure,” said Carrie Beatty, spokesperson for Niagara Region Public Health.
The adult woman with the measles had travelled to Toronto on a couple of occasions recently but she didn’t take public transit.
Ontario public health officials are investigating whether there is a link between the case in Niagara and four in Toronto involving two children and two adults.
The highly contagious disease caused by a virus is circulating in Niagara and all residents are urged to get their vaccinations up to date.
Vaccines give nearly 100 per cent protection from the disease that is still one of the leading causes of death globally among young children.
Niagara’s public health department is warning anyone who was in unit C at Greater Niagara General Hospital on Portage Road in Niagara Falls that they were exposed to measles Sunday Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. to Monday Feb. 2 at noon.
Others may have been exposed at the MacBain Community Centre on Montrose Road in Niagara Falls on Monday, Jan. 26 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
And at Walmart on Oakwood Drive in Niagara Falls, including the walk-in clinic inside on Tuesday, Jan 27 from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and the Thursday, Jan 29 from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Symptoms start out as a cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and fever. A rash starts on the face after about four days and moves down the body. White spots might also appear in the mouth.
Hamilton had an outbreak a year ago with two cases in March 2014 linked to a third case elsewhere in Ontario. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)