Reclaiming a Measles-Free Canada

At Black Maple Magazine, we pride ourselves on bringing you accurate and up-to-date information on all things health, well-being, and self-care, with an eye to what’s top of mind for black Canadians. Of course this means citing the latest and most ground-breaking scientific studies and verifiable sources and data. It also means encouraging everyone to seek culturally-competent healthcare from compassionate providers who regard us as beings with minds, bodies, and souls. It’s in this spirit that we need to address an alarming development that threatens to unravel the decades of progress for which we have collectively fought: the return of endemic measles to Canada after over 25 years of elimination.

Sadly, Canada has recently made international headlines, and not for positive reasons. Due largely to falling childhood vaccination rates in both North and South America, we’ve lost our “measles-free” status due to ongoing outbreaks. The loss of this status comes nearly one year after the highly contagious virus started spreading. As a report in The Guardian explains, Canada has logged 5,138 cases of measles this year (2025) which has resulted in the death of two infants who were exposed in utero and born prematurely.

This tragic medical setback has profound political roots, as MAGA (Make America Great Again) nation south of the border and its health-focused splinter group MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) largely fueled by white, middle class mothers and the support of Health and Human Services Chief Robert F. Kennedy, have pushed against all things vaccine, mainly by arguing for dubious connections between certain vaccinations and autism. (To say that Kennedy is not fond of verifiable scientific research is an understatement.) But what’s this got to do with Canadians? We can no longer bury our heads in the sand. As the New York Times reported back in July, Canadian cases had far exceeded the USA (at the time 4,200) with Alberta being named as a hotspot. At the same moment, the American CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) ranked Canada as one of the top ten nations with the highest number of cases.

Well, unfortunately, some of the same “libertarian strains” of anti-science rhetoric also permeates our own political landscape. There is a reason why Alberta has been hardest hit by this health crisis and it has nothing to do with a scarcity of the vaccine and everything to do with a “freedom at all costs” rhetoric which puts individual desire over group well-being and science.

This situation demands our immediate attention. Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known, more than Ebola, HIV/SARS, Covid 19, the flu, Chickenpox, or the Mumps. According to health studies, one measles carrier may infect an average of around fourteen other people. The key to keeping it at bay has always been a high level of community immunity, requiring about 95% of the population to be vaccinated.

Due to a combination of factors, including pandemic-related disruptions to vaccination schedules and a rise in vaccine misinformation and disinformation, our national vaccination rates have slipped with frightening and lethal consequences. This created small “gaps” in our collective shield, particularly in communities with lower immunity, allowing the virus to take hold and spread continuously for over 12 months, which is the definition of endemic return.

But true well-being extends beyond the individual; it’s deeply intertwined with the health of our families and broader communities. (This should not be a foreign concept to any of us because we just lived through it with the Covid pandemic of 2020.) So reclaiming our health and winning the battle against this infectious disease means supporting each other with evidence-based information and compassionate action.

Here are a few ways we can nurture our collective health:

Check Your Status, Share Your Care: The most effective self-care in this instance is ensuring you and your loved ones are fully protected. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is incredibly safe and effective, offering nearly 100% protection after two doses. If you’re unsure of your or your child’s vaccination history, reach out to your healthcare provider or local public health unit to confirm you are up-to-date. You can even get a blood test to check your antibody levels if needed.

Protect the Most Vulnerable: This is a gentle reminder that some among us — infants under six months old (who are too young for the vaccine), pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems — are at the highest risk for serious complications or death. Our personal vaccination status is an act of love and protection for them.

Mindful Travel: With the global rise in cases, if you are traveling, the Public Health Agency of Canada urges you to ensure you are vaccinated weeks before departure.

Compassionate Communication: We encourage open and supportive conversations with those in your circle who may have concerns. Instead of shame, let’s offer understanding and point towards trusted and authoritative sources for information, like the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) website.

This moment is a powerful reminder of how interconnected we truly are. By taking these simple, nurturing steps, we can work together to close the immunity gaps and help Canada regain its measles elimination status, ensuring a healthier circle for everyone.