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Canada Loses Measles-Free Status After Year-Long Outbreak, Health Officials Confirm
Canada has officially lost its measles-free status, following a year-long outbreak that health officials have struggled to bring under control.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed on Monday that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) had withdrawn the country’s measles elimination status after more than 12 consecutive months of ongoing transmission.
According to PHAC data, the outbreak began in late October 2024 and has since led to over 5,100 confirmed cases across most of Canada’s ten provinces and the Northwest Territories.
Health authorities say Canada can regain its elimination status if the current transmission chain is completely stopped for at least 12 months. An action plan is already being developed under PAHO’s regional framework, which includes increasing vaccination rates, strengthening surveillance, and ensuring faster outbreak response.
“This is a very unfortunate event,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “It’s frankly an embarrassment — and a clear warning that we need to do better at reassuring parents that measles vaccination is safe, effective, and essential for protecting both children and communities.”
Canada first declared measles eliminated in 1998, two years before the United States, making this the first loss of that status in nearly 30 years. 🩺 Health Ministers Briefed on Response
Canadian health ministers were briefed last month on the situation and are focusing on rebuilding public trust through community-based outreach and education.
At a press conference, PAHO Director Dr. Jorge Barbosa said one key challenge has been access — with some communities lacking convenient vaccination hours or supplies. “We need to make it easier,” he said, suggesting that clinics stay open on weekends and ensure vaccine availability across all regions. 🌎 Regional Impact and U.S. Concerns
Canada’s setback also affects the entire Americas region, which has now lost its verified status as free from measles transmission. The last time this happened was in 2018, when a major outbreak in Venezuela spread through the region. The Americas later regained elimination status in 2024 after both Venezuela and Brazil brought their outbreaks under control.
Meanwhile, the United States may be next in line to lose its measles-free verification, as it faces continuous transmission since January 2025. The CDC reports more than 1,600 cases in 41 states so far this year — with major outbreaks in Texas, Arizona, Utah, and South Carolina.
A Texas outbreak alone infected over 700 people and led to the deaths of two unvaccinated children.
“We’ve been flirting with losing elimination status,” Schaffner warned, “because too many parents are still refusing to vaccinate for reasons that make little sense. The measles vaccine is incredibly safe, incredibly effective — and measles is definitely not something you want your child to catch or spread.” 💉 The Vaccine: Still the Best Protection
The CDC continues to recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine — one between 12–15 months and another at 4–6 years old.
Just one dose provides 93% protection, while two doses offer 97% protection against measles.
Still, vaccination rates have been slipping in recent years, leaving more communities vulnerable to outbreaks that once seemed like history.
When asked which countries might be next to lose their measles elimination status, Dr. Barbosa declined to name any, but urged governments to strengthen vaccination campaigns immediately.
“As a region, we’ve eliminated measles twice,” Barbosa said. “We can do it a third time — but only if everyone does their part.”
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed on Monday that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) had withdrawn the country’s measles elimination status after more than 12 consecutive months of ongoing transmission.
According to PHAC data, the outbreak began in late October 2024 and has since led to over 5,100 confirmed cases across most of Canada’s ten provinces and the Northwest Territories.
Health authorities say Canada can regain its elimination status if the current transmission chain is completely stopped for at least 12 months. An action plan is already being developed under PAHO’s regional framework, which includes increasing vaccination rates, strengthening surveillance, and ensuring faster outbreak response.
“This is a very unfortunate event,” said Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “It’s frankly an embarrassment — and a clear warning that we need to do better at reassuring parents that measles vaccination is safe, effective, and essential for protecting both children and communities.”
Canada first declared measles eliminated in 1998, two years before the United States, making this the first loss of that status in nearly 30 years. 🩺 Health Ministers Briefed on Response
Canadian health ministers were briefed last month on the situation and are focusing on rebuilding public trust through community-based outreach and education.
At a press conference, PAHO Director Dr. Jorge Barbosa said one key challenge has been access — with some communities lacking convenient vaccination hours or supplies. “We need to make it easier,” he said, suggesting that clinics stay open on weekends and ensure vaccine availability across all regions. 🌎 Regional Impact and U.S. Concerns
Canada’s setback also affects the entire Americas region, which has now lost its verified status as free from measles transmission. The last time this happened was in 2018, when a major outbreak in Venezuela spread through the region. The Americas later regained elimination status in 2024 after both Venezuela and Brazil brought their outbreaks under control.
Meanwhile, the United States may be next in line to lose its measles-free verification, as it faces continuous transmission since January 2025. The CDC reports more than 1,600 cases in 41 states so far this year — with major outbreaks in Texas, Arizona, Utah, and South Carolina.
A Texas outbreak alone infected over 700 people and led to the deaths of two unvaccinated children.
“We’ve been flirting with losing elimination status,” Schaffner warned, “because too many parents are still refusing to vaccinate for reasons that make little sense. The measles vaccine is incredibly safe, incredibly effective — and measles is definitely not something you want your child to catch or spread.” 💉 The Vaccine: Still the Best Protection
The CDC continues to recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine — one between 12–15 months and another at 4–6 years old.
Just one dose provides 93% protection, while two doses offer 97% protection against measles.
Still, vaccination rates have been slipping in recent years, leaving more communities vulnerable to outbreaks that once seemed like history.
When asked which countries might be next to lose their measles elimination status, Dr. Barbosa declined to name any, but urged governments to strengthen vaccination campaigns immediately.
“As a region, we’ve eliminated measles twice,” Barbosa said. “We can do it a third time — but only if everyone does their part.”