Fear of measles has some Alberta parents taking precautions, seeking early vaccination for infants

Adrienne Tomusiak, whose three children under three are all in daycare, has seen it all this winter for sickness, from norovirus, to influenza, to RSV.

But she's worried that measles could be next for her 10-month-old son, her youngest, who is still ineligible for the vaccine.

"They constantly put things in their mouths and whatever else. They spread germs pretty easily," said Tomusiak, who lives in Edmonton.

"If I hadn't gone back to work, I probably would worry less because I'm home, so he's not exposed to as many things," she said.

Alberta health officials confirmed 20 total cases of measles as of noon Thursday, two more since Wednesday, according to the provincial government's dashboard.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) data shows that, out of every 1,000 measles cases, one to three people die from the disease. More than 90 per cent of people who aren't immune and come into contact with the virus will become infected.

The fear of measles has some parents with infants looking for ways to avoid exposure and take advantage of early vaccination opportunities.

Generally, infants must be a year old to receive their first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Babies between six and 11 months are recommended to get the vaccine early if they are having an organ transplant, or are travelling internationally or to an area in Canada where measles is spreading.

In Alberta, this includes Area 1 of the Alberta Health Services North Zone, located in the top northwest corner of Alberta. Cities like Fort Vermilion and High Level are within the area.

Alberta Health has brought in more "measles-containing vaccines" in case there is an increase in demand, a ministry spokesperson told CBC News in a statement.

Tomusiak's son has a rare blood disorder, so she called a clinic to see if he could get the vaccine earlier. She was told, 'No.'

Tomusiak said some Edmonton area parents are concerned enough about measles to lie about travel plans.

A couple of people messaged her, saying those administering the vaccine would "just give it to you and they don't ask you any questions," if she were to tell them her son would be travelling to an outbreak area or the U.S., she said.

Tomusiak isn't willing to lie to get her son a MMR shot, she said, but she would like to see expanded eligibility for the first dose.