News Release Archive
HEALTH--SECOND DOSE OF MEASLES VACCINE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Starting April 1, 1996 children between the ages of four and six years and who are entering grade primary in September, will receive a second dose of the measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine as part of the publicly-funded Nova Scotia immunization program. "The program will ensure all pre-school children in the future will have the opportunity to receive two doses of the MMR vaccine before they start attending school," said Dr. Jeff Scott, provincial medical officer of health. Children have traditionally received the MMR vaccine at 12 months of age. Introducing a second dose of the vaccine means that they will have less than a one per cent chance of contracting the measles. The vaccine will also provide extra protection against rubella and the mumps. A two-dose MMR immunization schedule in Nova Scotia will help to achieve the national goal of eliminating measles by the year 2005. The MMR vaccine will be administered to children at the same time as their pre-school booster. The vaccine will be provided by physicians and public health nurses. Children who are entering grade primary in September, 1996, and who have already received their booster shot, should return to their physician or public health nurse, who gave them the original booster, to receive the MMR vaccine before starting school. The MMR vaccine will be administered free of charge to children aged four to six years who are starting school in the fall. Parents who wish to have their older children immunized with the vaccine should discuss it with their physician. There will be a cost for immunizing older children because it is not part of the publicly-funded immunization program. Approximately $100,000 will be spent for the new vaccine. The majority of provinces and territories in Canada are implementing the second dose MMR vaccine. Last year there were 2,301 reported cases of measles in Canada. There have been four confirmed cases of measles, and no outbreaks in Nova Scotia since 1992. Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms include: a fever, red watery eyes, a rash that starts on the face and neck and then spreads, runny nose and a cough. "The expansion of the childhood immunization program is a good example of preventive health care for children in Nova Scotia," said Health Minister Ron Stewart. -30- Contact: Sue McKeage 902-424-3581 jlw Mar. 21, 1996 4:00 p.m.