Recent reports of measles outbreaks in California have prompted Alberta Health Services to remind parents of the importance of ensuring children’s vaccinations are up to date.
Alberta’s medical health officers sent a letter to school superintendents to be distributed to parents in the hopes that families planning spring break vacations, will consider ensuring immunizations are up to date before travelling.
The letter states that travelling increases the risk of exposure to many different diseases, such as measles.
“Albertans travelling to an area where a measles outbreak is currently active … should ensure all travellers have received the right number of doses for their age,” AHS said in a statement
If travelling, AHS advises children six months to six years old may require an earlier dose of the MMR vaccine than recommended by the routine schedule. Anyone born after 1970 should ensure they have had two doses of the vaccine.
For more information, visit the Immunize Alberta website.
