How Can I Protect My Family from Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks?

Infectious disease outbreaks can feel overwhelming, especially when they affect your community or your child's school. Canada lost its measles elimination status on November 10, 2025, after more than 12 months of sustained transmission of the highly contagious and deadly viral disease . Despite great efforts made in Canada, the country has lost its measles elimination status and the virus is now considered endemic . With measles cases rising across Ontario and other infectious diseases continuing to circulate, understanding how to protect your family through vaccination and other preventive measures is more important than ever. This guide explains Ontario's immunization schedule, how vaccines work, how to check your family's vaccination records, and what steps to take if you or your child has been exposed to an infectious disease.

Why are measles cases rising in Ontario right now?

As of January 6, 2026, there have been 56 cases reported in 2025-2026 that were not linked to the multi-jurisdictional outbreak , and Toronto Public Health is confirming its 10th case of laboratory confirmed measles in 2025 . The increase in measles cases is primarily happening in communities with lower vaccination rates. The outbreak is mainly due to very low vaccine coverage in certain communities spread across the country . When vaccination rates drop below 95 percent in a community, measles can spread quickly because it is one of the most contagious viruses known. Measles is the most contagious virus known to humankind. One infected person can transmit the disease to up to 18 others . The current outbreak began when an international traveler attended a gathering in New Brunswick in late 2024, and the virus spread to multiple provinces as guests returned home to communities where not everyone was fully vaccinated.

How contagious is measles compared to other infections?

Measles is extraordinarily contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Around 9 out of 10 people who are not fully protected against measles will become infected following close contact with a person who is infected with measles . The virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person has left the room, which means you can catch measles even if you never directly interact with someone who is sick. Cases are infectious from four days before rash onset to four days after rash onset , which means people can spread the virus before they even know they are sick. This is why vaccination is so critical, as it is the only reliable way to prevent infection when measles is circulating in your community.

What vaccines do children in Ontario need and when?

Ontario has a publicly funded immunization schedule that provides free vaccines to protect children from serious diseases. MMR is given on or after the first birthday. A second dose is given at 4 to 6 years of age combined with varicella in the MMRV vaccine . The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is usually given as MMR at 12 months of age, and then again as MMRV, which also includes protection against chickenpox, between ages 4 and 6. Two doses of measles vaccination are 99 percent effective at preventing infection in children . In addition to MMR, Ontario children receive vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b starting at 2 months of age, with boosters at 4 months, 6 months, 18 months, and between 4 and 6 years. In Grade 7, students are offered hepatitis B and HPV vaccines through school-based programs, along with a booster for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

Are vaccines safe and how do they actually work?

Vaccines are among the most thoroughly tested and monitored medical interventions available. They work by training your immune system to recognize and fight specific viruses or bacteria without causing the actual disease. When you receive a vaccine, your body produces antibodies and immune memory cells that remain ready to defend you if you are ever exposed to the real pathogen. MMR and MMR-V are very safe vaccines and very effective against measles . Serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare, and the risks of not vaccinating are far greater than the risks of vaccination itself. For example, measles can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, permanent hearing loss, and death, especially in young children, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems. Vaccines prevent these outcomes and also protect vulnerable people in your community who cannot be vaccinated due to age or medical conditions.

How do I check if my child's vaccinations are up to date?

In Ontario, parents and guardians are required to keep their children's immunization records up to date and report them to their local public health unit if the child attends school or licensed childcare. Under Ontario's Immunization of School Pupils Act, Toronto Public Health routinely reviews immunization records of children attending school in Toronto to ensure they are vaccinated against measles or have a valid exemption on file . You can check your child's vaccination record by looking at their yellow immunization card, which should have been provided by your healthcare provider at each vaccine appointment. If you cannot find your child's record, you can contact your family doctor, the clinic where your child received vaccines, or your local public health unit to request a copy. Many public health units in Ontario now offer online tools like CANImmunize or Immunization Connect Ontario that allow you to access and manage your child's vaccination records digitally.

What happens if my child is not up to date on vaccines?

If your child is missing required vaccines and attends school or childcare in Ontario, your local public health unit will send you a notice asking you to update their immunizations or provide a valid medical exemption. If there is a case of measles in a school, child care centre or camp, any children, staff or volunteers who do not have two doses of a measles vaccine or do not have proof of immunity may be excluded from attending school, child care or camp . Exclusion can last 21 days or longer if additional cases continue to occur. This measure protects both unvaccinated children and others in the community who are vulnerable to infection. If your child has fallen behind on vaccines, you do not need to start the series over. Catch-up schedules are available that allow children to get back on track with as few doses as possible, and your family doctor or public health unit can help you create a plan.

Do adults need vaccines too, or just children?

Adults also need vaccines to stay protected throughout their lives. People born before 1970 likely had measles in the past and are generally considered immune. People born in, or after 1970, are considered fully protected from a known exposure to measles if they have had two doses of measles vaccine . If you were born in 1970 or later and are unsure whether you received two doses of measles vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider about getting a blood test to check your immunity or simply receiving the vaccine again, as it is safe to give even if you have already been vaccinated. Adults should also receive tetanus and diphtheria boosters every 10 years, and pregnant people should receive a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy to protect their newborn. Adults over 65 should receive vaccines for shingles, pneumonia, and respiratory syncytial virus, and everyone 6 months and older should receive annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines every fall.

What should I do if my child or I have been exposed to measles?

When Toronto Public Health receives a report of a suspected or confirmed case of measles in the City of Toronto, an investigation begins. This investigation includes risk assessment and contact tracing as outlined by Ontario Ministry of Health guidance . If you or your child has been exposed to measles, you may receive a phone call or text message from your local public health unit with specific instructions. Text messages will be from a 393939 number and include information about the date, time and location of the exposure to measles and guidance from Toronto Public Health to help protect yourself and others . If you are unvaccinated or have only received one dose of measles vaccine, public health may offer you a dose of vaccine within 72 hours of exposure, which can sometimes prevent infection or reduce the severity of illness. Individuals who are not eligible for the MMR vaccine and are at risk for serious complications may be eligible to receive a product called immunoglobulin within six days of exposure .

What are the symptoms of measles and when should I see a doctor?

Symptoms of measles include fever, a red blotchy rash, red watery eyes, and cough . The illness typically starts with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, followed a few days later by a red rash that begins on the face and spreads down the body. If you are experiencing symptoms of measles, stay at home, and call your health care provider or local public health unit right away . Do not go directly to a doctor's office, walk-in clinic, or emergency room without calling ahead, as measles is extremely contagious and you could expose other vulnerable people in the waiting room. When you call, let the clinic or hospital know you may have measles so they can arrange for you to be isolated from other patients when you arrive. Severe complications, while rare, include respiratory failure, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. People at greatest risk for complications related to measles are unvaccinated infants, unvaccinated pregnant people, and people who are immunocompromised .

How can I protect infants who are too young to be vaccinated?

Infants under 12 months of age are too young to receive the MMR vaccine and are among the most vulnerable to severe complications from measles and other infectious diseases. The best way to protect infants is through community immunity, which means ensuring that everyone around the baby who is eligible for vaccination is fully vaccinated. This includes parents, siblings, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone else who spends time with the baby. Pregnant people should also ensure they are immune to measles before becoming pregnant, as measles infection during pregnancy can lead to serious complications including miscarriage, preterm birth, and congenital measles in the newborn. As of May 2025, measles vaccine eligibility has been expanded for individuals who live, work, travel, worship, or spend time in the affected regions and communities that continue to see increased transmission and community exposures . If you are planning to travel with an infant to an area where measles is circulating, talk to your healthcare provider about whether your baby can receive an early dose of MMR vaccine starting at 6 months of age in certain high-risk situations.

What other infectious diseases should I be aware of in Ontario?

While measles is currently receiving significant attention due to the outbreak, other infectious diseases continue to circulate in Ontario and require vigilance. Seasonal respiratory illnesses like influenza and COVID-19 cause significant illness and hospitalization each year, especially in young children, older adults, and people with chronic conditions. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can cause severe and prolonged coughing illness, particularly dangerous for infants. Meningococcal disease, though rare, can cause life-threatening infections of the blood and brain, which is why vaccination is offered to teenagers in Grade 7. Chickenpox, while often thought of as a mild childhood illness, can cause serious complications including bacterial skin infections, pneumonia, and brain inflammation. All of these diseases are preventable through vaccination, and staying up to date with Ontario's recommended immunization schedule is the best way to protect your family from serious illness.

Where can I get my family vaccinated in Toronto?

The measles vaccine is available for adults and children at doctors' offices or at a Toronto Public Health community clinic for school-aged children . Most vaccines are provided free of charge through your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or pediatrician as part of Ontario's publicly funded immunization program. If you do not have a family doctor, you can visit a walk-in clinic, community health centre, or public health vaccine clinic to receive vaccines. Toronto Public Health operates vaccine clinics specifically for school-aged children and offers catch-up immunization for those who have missed vaccines. Pharmacies in Ontario can also administer certain vaccines to adults and children over a specific age, depending on the vaccine and the pharmacist's training. During outbreak situations or vaccination campaigns, additional vaccine clinics may be set up in schools, community centres, or other public locations to make access easier.

What if I have concerns or questions about vaccine safety?

If you have questions or concerns about vaccines, the best first step is to talk to your healthcare provider, who can provide personalized advice based on your family's health history and address specific worries you may have. Reliable information about vaccine safety and effectiveness is also available from trusted sources like the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, and your local public health unit. Be cautious about vaccine information you find on social media or from non-medical sources, as misinformation about vaccines is widespread and can be difficult to distinguish from accurate information. Healthcare providers understand that parents want to make informed decisions about their children's health, and they are there to answer your questions, share evidence, and help you weigh the real risks and benefits of vaccination.

Key tips for protecting your family from infectious disease outbreaks

• Keep vaccinations up to date: Follow Ontario's immunization schedule for children and make sure adults receive recommended vaccines including measles boosters if needed.
• Check your vaccination records: Contact your healthcare provider or public health unit to confirm that you and your children have received all required doses.
• Vaccinate before traveling: If you are planning international travel, schedule a visit with your healthcare provider at least six weeks before departure to ensure everyone's vaccines are current.
• Respond quickly to exposure notices: If you receive a call or text from public health about measles or another infectious disease exposure, follow their guidance immediately to protect yourself and others.
• Protect infants through community immunity: Make sure everyone who cares for or spends time with babies under 12 months is fully vaccinated.
• Call ahead if you have symptoms: Do not go directly to a clinic or hospital if you think you have measles or another highly contagious illness; call first so they can prepare for your arrival.
• Stay informed from reliable sources: Get your health information from public health authorities, your healthcare provider, and trusted medical organizations rather than social media.

Protecting your family from infectious disease outbreaks starts with vaccination and staying informed. With measles and other preventable diseases circulating in Ontario, ensuring that you and your children are up to date on immunizations is one of the most powerful steps you can take to keep your family healthy and safe. Vaccines are safe, effective, and free through Ontario's publicly funded program, and healthcare providers across Toronto are ready to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions for your family's health.