Measles is a very contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat of an infected person.
It can spread very easily through the air from an infected person when they breathe, talk, cough or sneeze.
Vaccination offers the most effective protection and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has proven to be one of the safest and most effective vaccines available.
Measles Cases in Ontario -
March 2025
Cases are rising in Ontario and the current rate is the highest the province has seen in the last 10 years.
Children – check their ICON account or talk to their health care provider
Adults – check any records (ICON, yellow card, vaccine documents – see TBDHU.com/vaxreport for more tips) or talk to your health care provider
Children under 12 months – Infants 6-11 months of age can get one dose of the vaccine before they travel from their heath care provider. Two additional doses are still needed after their first birthday to complete their routine series.
Children (one to four years) – Children who have received their first dose of measles-containing vaccine are encouraged to receive a second dose if they are travelling (at a minimum of four weeks from the first dose).
Adults (18 and older) born ON or AFTER 1970 – Two doses are recommended for complete protection.
Adults born before 1970 - Adults born before 1970 are generally presumed to have immunity from past exposure to the measles virus. However, some individuals in this age group remain susceptible to the measles virus.
NOTE: Infants under 6 months of age, pregnant people and those with a weakened immune system are generally not recommended to receive the vaccine.
