Not all Alberta babies are eligible for early measles shot, worrying Calgary mom | CBC News

A Calgary mother is urging the Alberta government to make an early measles vaccine dose available to babies in all parts of the province as outbreaks grow. And several doctors are calling for this too.

Alberta’s total measles case count had surged to 1,078 as of midday Wednesday.

“This is such an awful time to have a new baby,” said Shanaya von Scheel, who has a seven-month-old son, Viggo.

“It’s really hard when you have this in the back of your mind — ‘Am I making the right choice for my baby? Am I keeping him safe enough? What more can I be doing?'”

Young babies are at high risk for complications due to measles and von Scheel has avoided taking her son to busy places, such as malls.

The province is offering an early and extra dose of the vaccine to babies as young as six months old who are living in the hardest hit south, central and north zones. This is in addition to the routine immunization schedule which recommends two doses — one at 12 months and the other at 18 months.

But, as von Scheel found out when she initially asked about getting the early shot for her baby, it is not being offered in the Calgary and Edmonton zones.

“I don’t understand this playing catch-up. I think we should be as proactive as possible,” she said.

“I don’t know if it’s a resource problem or a money problem. But I think that if parents are wanting to vaccinate their child early we should be able to do that.”

And von Scheel worries with Stampede coming there will be more people traveling into Calgary, increasing the risk the virus will spread even further.

Two new measles cases were reported in Calgary on Wednesday, bringing the total, since the outbreaks began in March, to 22. There have been nine confirmed cases in the Edmonton zone.

Babies who will be traveling to areas where measles is spreading, including parts of Ontario and Alberta’s south, central and north zones, are eligible for the extra dose.

Von Scheel said she ended up getting her son vaccinated after discussing travel plans with a public health nurse.

Provincial data shows the south zone has confirmed 705 cases, the central zone has 105 and there have been 237 in northern Alberta.

Health officials have warned the virus is likely spreading undetected in those areas and actual case counts are probably higher as a result.

Babies high risk

Mothers who are immune pass along antibodies during pregnancy but that immunity wanes within months, leaving infants vulnerable to infection. 

Several doctors say they too believe the province should expand eligibility for the early dose to include babies living in all parts of the province.

“Even though the numbers are small so far in Edmonton and Calgary, I think our turn is yet to come,” said Dr. Joan Robinson, a pediatric infectious disease physician at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton.

“So I think offering a dose of vaccine to younger children would be worthwhile.”

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications including pneumonia, brain inflammation — which can trigger seizures, deafness and brain damage — and even death.

Infants are among the groups at highest risk for developing severe complications because their immune systems are more immature, according to Dr. Sam Wong, president of the pediatrics section with the Alberta Medical Association.

“If I was the  parent of a six-month-old or a 12-month-old I would be careful about where I took my child. And you can minimize risk by doing that,” he said.

Babies are also at higher risk of long-term complications, he said, including a rare but nearly always fatal neurological condition.

“Why not give the [early] vaccination … if the parents want it? Why can’t they get it? he said.

“They should be given the option of being allowed to get it if they are concerned or worried.”

Wong said he expects the province likely wants to ensure it has enough vaccine doses to deal with outbreak areas 

Widespread transmission

The Alberta government does not intend to change the strategy at this time.

In an emailed statement, an official with Primary and Preventative Health Services said transmission remains low in the Calgary and Edmonton zone, likely due to higher immunization rates.

“To focus efforts where they will have the most impact, Alberta is prioritizing early-dose availability in zones experiencing active outbreaks and broader community spread. This approach aligns with national practices — jurisdictions like Ontario also offer early doses only in areas where measles is actively circulating,” the statement reads in part.

“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust our approach as needed, based on advice from public health officials.”

The early doses, given to infants between the ages of six and 11 months, offer short-term protection in areas with widespread transmission, according to the province. But they do not replace the routine two doses needed for long-term protection.

Meanwhile, Robinson believes there will eventually be enough cases in Calgary and Edmonton that the province will need to offer the extra dose to babies living in those areas.

“A year ago the risk of getting measles infection in Alberta was almost zero. Now the risk goes up and up every day.”