Vaccination, immunity and records: Your questions on measles, answered
CBC
Canada continues to see an alarming rise in measles cases in 2025.
Through the spring, the virus spread most intensely in Ontario. But after over 2,200 cases, hundreds hospitalized and one measles-related death, it seems to be dwindling in that province.
Now, Alberta's seeing a spike, with almost 1,300 confirmed cases so far.
With every province except Newfoundland and Labrador reporting cases of measles, here are some common questions from CBC readers, viewers and listeners — answered.
Most likely yes, says the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
It says those who have had a past measles infection should be immune against another one, as long as they have a normal immune response.
Generally, yes, says PHAC.
PHAC recommends that children and adults who don't have records of their vaccination history be started on an immunization schedule appropriate to their age and risk factors.
Even if you've already been vaccinated, it's generally considered safe for health-care providers to give another dose, PHAC says, because they haven't seen additional side effects from repeated immunization.
But this is why a national vaccine registry would be hugely helpful, says Dawn Bowdish, a professor of immunology at McMaster University.
"The number of people who are looking to figure out if they got one dose, if they got two doses, if they were vaccinated as children and perhaps they just moved provinces and they can't get their records is extremely high."
Two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine offer almost 100 per cent effectiveness against the virus in the long term.
That depends.
PHAC says routine testing for laboratory evidence of measles immunity is not recommended for the general population.
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