Amid the largest measles outbreak in the province in 30 years, public health officials in Hastings-Prince Edward are echoing the call for residents to make sure immunizations are up-to-date.
Just last week – on March 5, 2025 – the South East Health Unit (SEHU) confirmed nine cases, with ongoing investigation into contacts in Hastings County. (As previously reported, the newly-formed South East Health unit was a voluntary merger, bringing together the former Hastings, Prince Edward Public Health, Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Public Health, and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.)
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, public health issued another public plea, urging residents to make sure their immunizations are up-to-date, noting that as of March 12, 2025, Ontario has reported a total of 372 measles cases (277 confirmed, 95 probable) associated with the outbreak occurring in 11 public health units.
In Hastings County, officials confirmed there are 32 cases as of Thursday.
“All cases in Hastings County involve individuals who were not previously immunized against measles,” noted officials.
Officials are stressing that vaccines remain the best way to protect against the highly contagious virus amid the ongoing outbreak and reduce spread locally.
“The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective in reducing transmission and preventing severe outcomes from the virus,” explained SEHU Medical Officer of Health and Dr. Piotr Oglaza. “By working together to ensure that everyone who is able to get vaccinated has done so, we can prevent outbreaks and protect the most vulnerable in the community from measles and its complications.”
Residents can review immunization records online, noted officials.
However, public health did not it may not have records for people born in 1985 or earlier, and that most people born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired immunity due to infection in their childhood, as there were previously high levels of measles circulating before 1970.
The MMR vaccine is a publicly funded immunization, which is accessible through local health-care providers’ offices and public health immunization clinics. This vaccine is also part of Ontario’s routine immunization schedule, meaning it’s required for kids in public schools unless they have exemptions.
More information on health unit clinics and facts on measles is also available online.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
