Shared on behalf of Occupational Health and Safety & Infection Prevention and Control

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Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that was formally considered eliminated in in Canada in 1998. The rising numbers of measles cases in Ontario has been attributed to declining vaccination rates as well as international travel. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles. Immunity after two dose of the measles vaccine is 99%.

Upon hire at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Occupational Health and Safety conducts a comprehensive health, review including ensuring that employees are fully immunized from vaccine preventable illnesses. For Measles, all health care workers are required to have documented proof of either 2 doses of a measles containing vaccine (i.e MMR) or serological proof of immunity. If your vaccine history was unknown, titer levels are drawn and vaccination is offered to those without evidence of immunity.

Revaccination for Measles is not required as immunity after two doses of the Measles vaccine or immunity after infection is lifelong therefore no booster is required.

OHS had sent out notices to those staff who have outstanding pieces of their immunization history. If you have received a notice, please respond promptly to ensure compliance.

Please ensure that your N-95 fit test is up to date and review policy IPC-1-18 Applying Routine Practice and Additional Precautions and IPC-2-12 Effective Hand Hygiene.

Please call Occupational Health and Safety at extension 6212 or Infection Prevention and Control at extension 6094 for more information.