Canada faces shortage of measles vaccines amid rise in cases, demand

Canada is facing a shortage of measles vaccines amid a rise in cases across the country and around the world, and an increase in demand.

Remaining doses of the the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccines are being reserved for public immunization programs, according to reports posted on Health Canada's Drug Shortages website by Canada's two suppliers.

Merck Canada and GSK "have advised Health Canada that they are able to fully meet demand for these [routine childhood immunization] programs, which are managed by each province and territory," an email sent by a spokesperson for Health Canada read.

But people who aren't eligible for a publicly funded vaccine and hoped to get one through a travel clinic or pharmacy are likely out of luck for at least the next month.

The private market for measles vaccines "makes up an extremely small portion of the overall demand," the Health Canada email to CBC News read.

Merck is reporting an estimated end date of April 19, for its private market shortage of MMR II vaccine. Meanwhile GSK does not supply the private market with its PRIORIX vaccine, but posted a shortage report to "proactively indicate that they cannot fulfil private orders," the spokesperson said.

April 19 will be too late for Debra McKeil, of Burrts Corner, near Fredericton. She leaves that day for Morocco.

McKeil looked into getting a shot after New Brunswick Public Health recommended last week that people born before 1970 get a measles vaccine if they plan to travel outside the country.

Although most adults born before 1970 are presumed to have acquired immunity from past exposure to the measles virus, Public Health recommended they get at least one dose before any international travel, as a precaution.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause serious illness and severe complications, including deafness, brain damage and even death.

The virus is transmitted through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or talks, or by direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.

There is a surge of measles in Europe and a rise in cases across North America, related in part to a decline in routine vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

At least 31 cases of measles have been reported so far this year across Canada, according to a CBC News tally of provincial and regional figures released by public health teams, and new projections suggest there's a high chance of a "sizable outbreak" — with anywhere from dozens to thousands of people infected, if the disease strikes communities with low vaccination rates.

Most measles cases that have occurred in Canada have been acquired from travel outside the country, New Brunswick Department of Health spokesperson Sean Hatchard said. "Therefore, the largest risk of measles exposure is with international travellers who may be visiting countries where measles is circulating."