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Health Professionals Update – Vol. 18, No. 7

March 12, 2025

From:
Rebecca Shalansky, MD MPH CCFP FRCPC 
Associate Medical Officer of Health

In this issue:

  • Update: CMOH Measles immunization recommendations
  • Clinician actions to support public health complete measles case and contact management
  • RSV monoclonal antibody (Beyfortus) returns

Key messages:

  • The Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) has issued additional measles immunization recommendations for individuals at higher risk of exposure.
  • Ensure clinician and staff measles immunization records are easily accessible.
  • Ensure daily patient visit lists are easily accessible.
  • Peel Public Health multiservice clinics do not offer testing for suspected measles cases.
  • RSV monoclonal antibody (Beyfortus) should not be returned.

Update: Measles immunization recommendations

On Friday, February 28, 2025, the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) of Ontario issued a memo on measles preparedness which includes additional immunization recommendations for individuals at higher risk of exposure in Ontario regions currently experiencing an outbreak in unimmunized populations.

Peel Public Health recommends that health care providers continue to follow all measles prevention and preparedness recommendations outlined in the February 19, 2025: Vol. 18, No. 6 Health Professional Update and the CMOH's additional immunization recommendation:

Along with routine immunizations, the following is advised for individuals who live, work, travel (e.g., family visit), worship, or spend time in affected regions and communities with measles cases and where the risk of exposure is higher. This currently includes the Grand Erie and Southwestern Ontario health units and will continue to be reassessed as needed:

  • Infants (six to 11 months): Should receive one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two additional doses continue to be recommended after the age of one year.
  • Children (one to four years): Children who have received their first dose of measles-containing vaccine are encouraged to receive a second dose as soon as possible (at a minimum of four weeks from the first dose).
  • Adults (18+ years) born on or after 1970: A second dose of MMR vaccine is recommended.

Clinician actions to support public health complete measles case and contact management

Peel Public Health follows up on all measles cases and contacts, including those exposed at medical clinics, to provide counselling and post-exposure prophylaxis as eligible. To support public health in following up on your patients and staff:

  • Ensure all patient facing staff have two doses of measles containing vaccine or documented serologic immunity. Have staff and clinician immunization records accessible upon request from public health. Staff without records available may need to exclude from patient facing work for up to 21 days.
  • Maintain clear daily patient lists that can easily made available upon request by public health. It is especially important to identify any highest risk patients including children, pregnant and immunocompromised patients.
  • If you have assessed a patient and suspect that they have measles, please do not refer the client to Peel Public Health multiservice clinics.  Measles testing is outside of the scope of public health’s sexual health services and referrals pose a risk to clients, healthcare workers and the public. If you suspect your patient has measles, please complete all recommended PCR and serological testing and immediately report the case to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation.

Reporting requirements

Measles is a reportable disease under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Report suspected cases of measles immediately to Peel Public Health at 905-799-7700. Do not wait for laboratory confirmation.

RSV monoclonal antibody (Beyfortus) returns

There continues to be RSV circulation in the community and immunization of eligible infants is still strongly recommended especially for newborns. Beyfortus has an expiry date of May 2026 and should not be returned. Any remaining inventory can remain at your clinic for potential use in the next 2025/26 respiratory season for eligible populations.

Contact us

The Health Professionals Update (HPU) is distributed to physician offices in Peel region via fax or email. Share this update with other health professionals in your clinic.

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