Faced with the outbreak of measles cases and criticism, the Alberta government has decided to take the problem in the horror by announcing the widening of access to vaccination and the launch of a multilingual awareness campaign to end the propagation of the virus in the province.
In press briefing on Monday morning, the minister of Health, Adriana Lagrange, said that this May 5, the province would strengthen vaccination coverage by increasing the number of vaccination meetings.
Vaccination clinics in the center and south areas will now be accessible without appointments, including availability on evenings and weekends.
The goal is to allow more people to be protected more quickly
said the minister, stressing that measles is not a benign disease. It is very contagious and can lead to serious complications, especially in children under the age of five and vulnerable people.
A campaign in 14 languages
Since the end of March, Alberta has been carrying out a campaign on social networks to encourage Albertans to ensure that they have been protected from measles.
To strengthen public awareness, health authorities announced the launch, from mid-May, launch on a campaign on the province entitled Don’t get measles. Get Immunized
(“Avoid contracts measles. Do vaccinating”).
It will be a campaign on several channels (radio, written press, digital media and social networks).
It will be translated into 14 languages spoken in Alberta, including French, Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, Ukrainian, Urdu or Tagalog, to reach the most people.
According to Lagrange Minister, on April 26, 90 % of confirmed cases were unvaccinated people.
Open in full screen
Among the cases of measles identified to date in Alberta, 77 patients are under 5 years old. (Archives photo)
Photo: Photo provided by the British Columbia Disease Control Center
A toolbox for daycare
The province is also working to develop a toolbox for childcare service providers, so that parents have the information they need to protect their children.
We will say more about it and we plan to contact managers of day care when the toolbox is ready
said Minister Lagrange.
The Albertans can also compose 1-844-944-3434 to reach the telephone assistance line set up by the province.
Unheard of in three decades
The latest update on the situation of measles in Alberta, published Monday afternoon, reports 265 cases, 55 more than last week.
It is less than the 690 cases of 1980, but a little more than the peak of 242 infections reached about two decades later, in 1997.
About 86 % of current cases, or 229, are concentrated in southern and center health areas, which identify 154 and 75 cases respectively.
No deaths related to measles has been reported to date in the province.
According to the Dr Sunil Sookram, acting chief hygienist in the province, three patients were in intensive care last weekend.
Among the cases identified, 77 are under 5 years old, while 144 patients are under 18 years old. What is worrying
admits Minister Adriana Lagrange, adding thatAs a mother and grandmother, I sympathize with the parents and tutors of these children
.
Beginning of the widget. Pass the widget?End of widget. Return to the start of the widget?
Vaccination, better way to protect yourself
The province’s health officials insist on the importance of vaccination, which is The best way to protect yourself and protect your loved ones from measles
as the Dr Sunil Sookram.
Minister Adriana Lagrange also invited the population to be vaccinated, in particular to protect newborns, pregnant women and people suffering from certain diseases that weaken their immune system.
Having a measles vaccinating is the most important thing you can do to protect your loved ones, yourself and your community.
To this end, she pointed out that all children aged 6 to 11 months can now benefit from a dose if they travel abroad or anywhere in the country where measles spreads.
Open in full screen
“Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and protect your loved ones from measles,” underline the health authorities. (Archives photo)
Photo : Reuters / Lindsey Wasson
A late answer?
In a press release in reaction to the provincial announcement, Friends of Medicarea public health defense organization praised the measures announced, but Still it would be necessary that everyone is ready to intervene
.
He also believes that low vaccination rates have also led to an increase in the prevalence of other avoidable infections such as flu and syncytial respiratory virus.
The neo-democratic opposition denounced what it considers as a late reaction to the government of Danielle Smith.
The measures announced Today should have been implemented several months ago. Instead, the government has ignored the problem. Today, more than 200 people have fallen unnecessarily sick, many children, and people are in intensive care because of this terrible disease.
The party led by Naheed Nenshi joined his voice to that of the government to urge the Albertans to be vaccinated: To all Albertans and all parents, have your children vaccinated and vaccinated.
Open in full screen
The opposition led by Naheed Nenshi denounces what it considers as a late reaction from the government. (Archives photo)
Photo : Radio-Canada / Emmanuel Prince-Thauvette
Under the fire of criticism
The announcement of the Alberta government occurs following acerbic criticism of health professionals.
They have pointed out the weakness of the rate of vaccine coverage and denounced what they described as lack of leadership of the province to protect the population against this highly contagious and potentially fatal infection.
In 2023, 69 % of the Albertans had received two doses of measles vaccine before the age of 2, when 95 % would have received them so that collective immunity is reached.
Certain localities had very low measles vaccination rates below 20 %.
