Measles outbreak pushes call for mandatory vaccines: report
Posted Feb 21, 2019 8:51 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) – As measles outbreaks start to hit the U.S. and Canada, a new poll shows Canadians want mandatory vaccinations for kids.
The Angus Reid poll shows 7 in 10 of those who responded believe vaccines for deadly diseases should be mandatory for kids while 20 per cent argue it’s a parents’ choice.
What may surprise some is that nearly a third of respondents had some concern that the science on vaccines isn’t quite clear.
Alberta Health Services Medical Officer of Health for Calgary, Dr. Jia Hu disagrees.
“The Measles vaccine is known to be totally safe and it’s known to protect against Measles which can cause some pretty severe complications.”
According to AHS, there were six cases of the measles in the province last year but none so far in 2019.
In the Vancouver area, nine cases have been reported which prompted an online petition calling for mandatory vaccinations in B.C. public schools. That petition has received over 35,000 signatures so far.
READ MORE: Petition to make vaccines mandatory in B.C. hits 30,000 signatures
Dr. Hu points out, that these vaccinations protect more than just your own child.
“When you get the Measles vaccines, you really are protecting people around you as well. Some kids can’t get the Measles vaccine for various medical reasons so it’s super important that people get vaccinated to protect those children.”
