Measles cases surging across Canada: What pharmacists need to know
A worsening outbreak across Canada
With measles cases rising at a troubling pace across the country, pharmacists are likely to see an increase in patient questions about symptoms, vaccination and prevention. This week Alberta surpassed a major milestone—more than 1,300 confirmed measles cases since March—overtaking the entire United States in case count. Experts warn the situation may worsen before it improves, and low vaccination rates in some regions have enabled rapid community transmission.
Health officials across Canada are working to contain outbreaks, but concerns remain that if transmission continues, Canada could lose its measles eradication status by fall—a designation that has implications for public trust, international travel and public health policy.
Pharmacists: Trusted immunization advocates
Pharmacists are among the most accessible health-care providers in Canada, and they play a critical role in promoting immunization and addressing vaccine hesitancy. As the outbreak intensifies, pharmacy professionals are often the first point of contact for patients with concerns or questions about measles. CPhA has developed a concise, accessible resource to support these conversations:
Measles: What You Need to Know
This quick-reference tool covers key topics, including:
- Recognizing symptoms
- How measles spreads
- Prevention strategies
- Vaccination recommendations
Explore CPS clinical content
For pharmacists looking to expand their clinical knowledge on measles and related topics, CPS Full Access includes in-depth, up-to-date content tailored to pharmacy practice:
Routine Childhood Vaccinations (CPS chapter)
This chapter addresses:
- Common questions about childhood vaccines
- Managing missed or interrupted schedules
- Administering multiple vaccines
- Pain management strategies
- An FAQ infographic to support conversations with vaccine-hesitant parents
Viral Skin Rashes (CPS chapter)
Includes updated content on:
- The increasing incidence of measles due to inadequate vaccination
- The complications of measles
- New photos and descriptions of symptoms in skin of colour.
Addressing vaccine hesitancy: Practical tools for pharmacy teams
Pharmacists can play an important role in vaccine uptake, especially when it comes to supporting parents and caregivers. Here’s a collection of resources to help make childhood vaccination experiences more comfortable, effective and informed.
Practice tools and resources
- Caregiver Checklist: Preparing for a child’s vaccine appointment (PDF)
- Pharmacy Top Tips for Childhood Vaccination (PDF)
The CARD system (Comfort, Ask, Relax, Distract)
The evidence-based CARD system is designed to reduce fear and improve the vaccination experience for patients of all ages: