Alberta Health Minister Urges Vaccination Amid Measles Cases

Alberta's Health Minister has called on residents to get vaccinated following reports of measles cases in several areas, including Edmonton. The concern has grown after measles cases were confirmed on Sunday night at Stollery Children's Hospital and North Medical Clinic.

Individuals born in 1970 or later who have received fewer than two doses of the measles vaccine are at higher risk of contracting the disease. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange emphasized that the province is working to raise awareness about the vaccine. She pointed out that not only in Alberta, but across Canada and around the world, many people avoid the vaccine, despite its importance.

The vaccine is free in Alberta. Children in the province receive their first dose during their first year of life, with the second dose administered by the time they are 18 months old. According to the 2023 report, 82% of two-year-old children in Alberta were vaccinated. Measles cases were also reported in Airdrie and Balzac last week.