Alberta Medical Association Critiques Handling of Measles Outbreak

The recent measles outbreak in Alberta has drawn sharp criticism from the newly appointed president of the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), who emphasized that the situation was preventable. Dr. Brian Wirzba expressed profound sadness over the death of a premature baby linked to the outbreak, highlighting the serious implications of low vaccination rates in the province. Meanwhile, Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith defended her government’s approach to managing the crisis.

The tragic incident marks the first recorded death from measles in Alberta this year, following the mother contracting the disease during her pregnancy. This event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by measles, especially to vulnerable populations such as pregnant individuals and young children. Dr. Wirzba stated, “Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease,” urging those who are unvaccinated to seek immunization to protect themselves and those around them.

In a public statement, Dr. Wirzba encouraged individuals born after 1970 who have not received two doses of the measles vaccine to get vaccinated, particularly if planning to become pregnant. He pointed out that vaccination is essential for halting the spread of the disease and noted the importance of achieving high vaccination rates throughout the province.

During a Saturday interview with CTV News, Dr. Wirzba addressed the challenge of vaccine hesitancy, attributing it in part to the proliferation of misinformation. He acknowledged that while vaccinations can cause mild side effects, such as temporary soreness or fever, the benefits of immunization far outweigh these risks. He stated, “Most of them are, fortunately, very mild…but it’s important to always put that into the context of what we’re trying to prevent.”

Premier Smith responded to the criticisms on her radio show, Your Province, Your Premier, asserting that her government has invested $700,000 in campaigns to encourage vaccination. She indicated plans for further advertising in the fall to reach individuals who may be considering pregnancy. Smith characterized the measles death as a tragedy and reiterated the importance of vaccination, stating, “It’s a very dangerous virus, that’s why we make it [the measles vaccine] available.”

According to Smith, the province has seen an increase in vaccination rates, claiming a 52 percent year-on-year rise in individuals receiving the vaccine. She cited publicly available statistics to support her assertion that vaccination rates are improving.

Dr. Wirzba acknowledged some positive impact from provincial messaging but emphasized that more efforts are needed to combat misinformation. He highlighted that vaccination rates for children under ten remain significantly lower than necessary. “We do know that in children under ten, that rate is significantly lower than it should be,” he noted, calling for parents to ensure their children are vaccinated.

The current measles outbreak has seen 1,917 reported cases this year, with three cases still active and communicable, according to the Alberta government. In comparison, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,544 confirmed measles cases in the United States as of March 2024.

Opposition NDP health critic Sarah Hoffman has urged the United Conservative government to enhance access to vaccines and provide necessary resources to frontline health workers. She stressed the need for proactive measures to ensure public health and safety in light of the ongoing outbreak.

As Alberta navigates this public health challenge, the emphasis remains on increasing vaccination rates and addressing the misinformation that contributes to vaccine hesitancy. The AMA continues to advocate for effective communication strategies to promote understanding and acceptance of vaccinations among the public.