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Canada loses measles elimination status: expert available

Measles?can be prevented with vaccination, with two doses providing a lifetime of immunity, says pediatric infectious disease expert Jacqueline Wong.

Hamilton, ON, Nov. 10, 2025 – After a year-long effort to reign in a measles outbreak across the country, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced that Canada has officially lost its measles elimination status.  

The loss of the status is a significant setback in public health, and Canada can only re-establish its measles elimination status once transmission is interrupted for at least 12 months. 

EXPERT AVAILABLE:  

Dawn Bowdish, professor with McMaster University’s Department of Medicine and executive director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health. 

  • Bowdish is a vocal infectious disease expert who can speak on what losing the elimination status means and how misinformation and gaps in vaccine administration has exacerbated the problem. 
  • Bowdish can be reached directly at bowdish@mcmaster.ca. Please note her availability on Monday, Nov. 10 starts after 1:30 p.m. ET. 

 

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