Page 4 of 7: Measles Communication

Further to the measles communication of May 2024, an outbreak of measles has been declared in the Southwestern Ontario region and several cases of measles have been identified in the Greater Toronto Area in recent months. Increasing measles activity in our community has implications for our patients, and for you.

You are highly likely to have immunity against measles, and you were likely asked to share information about your measles immunity status when you joined St. Joseph’s, St. Michael’s, or Providence. However, not all credentialed clinicians have shared this information with Workplace Health, Safety and Wellness (WHSW).

Unfortunately, given technological and human resource constraints, it is not possible for us to review all the information in our files and follow up only with physicians for whom we do not have this information. Therefore, we are sending this e-mail to all active primary or active provisional credentialed clinicians at Unity Health.

Please be aware that in the event you are exposed to measles, if Workplace Health, Safety and Wellness does not have your measles immunity status on file, you may be unable to work at Unity Health or any health care setting for up to 21 days.

Evidence or proof of immunity to measles is: 

• documentation of receipt of two (2) doses of measles-containing vaccine on or after the first birthday, with doses given at least four weeks apart (regardless of year of birth); OR
• laboratory evidence of immunity

We are therefore presenting you with the following options:

1. You are Immune to measles but you have not submitted your documentation to WHSW:

Please submit your vaccination record or laboratory evidence of immunity to the WHSW department at:

• SMH - [email protected]

2. You have been immunized but do not have documentation of two (2) MMR vaccines or are unsure of your immunity status:

        Please consult with your primary health care provider regarding serology testing.  Please provide the results of your serology testing, if completed, to your       site’s WHSW email address outlined above. 

3. You have not received two (2) doses of measles containing vaccine:  

Report in person to your site’s WHSW department to receive your measles-containing vaccine. You may be asked to return in 4 weeks to have a second dose administered if applicable.

4. You are choosing not to update WHSW with your measles immunity records.

You may assume that WHSW has your measles immunity record.  In the event that you are exposed to measles, WHSW will review your file to determine your immunity status.  If your immunity record is on file and you are immune to measles you will be able to continue working. However, if WHSW does not have evidence of measles immunity you may be unable to work at Unity Health or any health care setting for up to 21 days.

If you have any questions, please review the Public Health Ontario Measles:  Information for Health Care Providers resource document at www.publichealthontario.ca. If your questions are not answered there, please e-mail WHSW at your site’s email address (listed above).