Measles outbreak in Quebec due to low vaccination rates

Measles is a highly contagious disease that first affects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.

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Quebec public health officials have warned that spectators at a recent Montreal Canadiens hockey game at the Bell Centre may have been exposed to measles. From December to March, at least 31 measles cases were reported in the province, and experts attribute the main reason to low vaccination rates.

“The reason measles is spreading in different regions is one thing: low vaccination coverage,” says Dr. Donald Wynne, an infectious disease specialist at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). Quebec public health data obtained by Radio-Canada shows that vaccination rates have dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Access to vaccines was difficult during the pandemic, and that affected vaccination rates,” adds Dr. Nicolas Brosseau, a physician at the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ).

Reduced vaccine access; The main factor
Montreal has the lowest vaccination rate in the province, with an 85% vaccination rate before the pandemic and 83% in 2024.
Significant decreases in vaccination rates occurred in 2021-2022 in various regions, including Montreal (79.2%) and Laurentians (84.6%).
Despite fluctuations, the Nunavik region now has vaccination coverage above 97%.
“People are not against the vaccine, they just don’t have access to it,” emphasizes Dr. Wynne. Measles is spread through the respiratory tract and can be fatal for infants, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. The vaccine is available free of charge at any age, but coverage of at least 95% is required to prevent an outbreak.

Alert about exposure at Bell Centre
Montreal health officials announced Monday that an unvaccinated person with measles attended the March 3 game at Bell Centre (between 5:30 p.m. and midnight). The game, which ended with the Montreal Canadiens winning over the Buffalo Sabres, may have exposed spectators, especially in the red zone (111-117), and employees at Tim Hortons and Pizza Pizza restaurants.

Current outbreak statistics
There have been 30 confirmed cases of measles in Quebec so far.
The Laurentian region has the most cases, with 27. The others have been reported in Montreal, Laval and Montérégie.

Health officials are asking people to make an appointment through the Click Santé system or at their local CLSC if they are late in getting vaccinated. Measles is a highly contagious disease, and a list of places and times where people may be exposed to the virus is published on the Santé Québec website.

The measles vaccine is given to children at 12 and 18 months of age, but it is available free of charge to all ages. Experts warn that without 95% coverage, outbreaks are inevitable.

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