EDMONTON — With over 210 confirmed measles cases as of Friday afternoon, Alberta now has more measles cases than we’ve had in many decades. The vast majority of cases are in children. This morning, the Minister of Health announced a public campaign and steps for increased access to immunization in response to measles outbreaks in the central and south zones.
“Expanding public education and access to immunization are important steps, but this should be an all hands-on deck situation. Measles is a horrible disease, it is easily transmitted, yet also entirely preventable through immunization,” said Chris Gallaway executive director of Friends of Medicare. “Rather than waiting for local outbreaks to turn into a provincial outbreak, we should be expanding education and immunization across all zones of Alberta, immediately. This is the best way to protect Albertans and our public health care system.”
Alberta's low vaccination rates have also brought an increase in the prevalence of other avoidable infectious diseases like influenza and RSV. This year, Alberta has seen our highest influenza death rates since 2009 – the last year our vaccination rates were this low. Coincidingly, provincial immunization campaign spending last year was slashed in half as compared to spending the previous year.
Today’s announcement comes shortly after former Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mark Joffe left the position seemingly unexpectedly, and penned an opinion piece in the Calgary Herald calling for Alberta to take more action to improve immunization rates. A new permanent Chief Medical Officer of Health has not yet been appointed.
Last Thursday, the government also tabled Bill 55: Health Statutes Amendment Act. which concerningly will move Public Health away from being arm’s length and instead houses it under direct control of the government and Minister of Health.
“Albertans deserve a Chief Medical Officer of Health and Public Health Service that are arms-length and rooted in making decisions based on the best science, while sharing the best evidence-based information with the public,” said Gallaway. “Instead we’ve seen a revolving door in the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s office and increasing control from a government that seems happy to spend public resources pandering to anti-vaccination rhetoric.”
Seeking more information on measles? Starting today, HealthLink 811 is introducing a dedicated measles hotline. Albertans seeking information about measles can fast track their call through HealthLink by calling 1-844-944-3434.
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