Post-secondary students on the Island will be offered a second dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine this fall in an effort to reduce the possibility of an outbreak of mumps or red measles.
“Post-secondary students are at increased risk of getting measles, mumps or rubella,” says Dr. Heather Morrison, Chief Health Officer. “The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that students at post-secondary institutions be offered a second dose of MMR vaccine if they have only had one dose.”
The Department of Health will offer this immunization program to students, faculty and staff born after 1970 at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and Holland College when classes resume this fall. Students will be advised by their college or university about vaccination clinic dates on campus.
In Prince Edward Island, people born after 1970 have been offered one dose of MMR vaccine during their preschool years. Those born after 1996 or 1997 may have been offered a second dose of MMR before entering Grade 1. Students who are unsure of their immunization status are encouraged to receive the vaccine when it is offered on campus this fall.
There has been an outbreak of mumps in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick over the past several months. In Nova Scotia the majority of cases have been in young adults and 40 percent of cases have been university students. There have been two cases of mumps in Prince Edward Island linked to the outbreak in Nova Scotia.
There has also been an outbreak of red measles in Quebec and some cases in other provinces since the spring.
Measles is a disease spread through infected secretions of the nose or throat, and while most people recover from measles, it can cause serious complications including brain damage and death.
Mumps is usually a mild disease but in some cases can develop into an infection of the brain known as encephalitis, or meningitis, which is a swelling of the covering of the brain. It can also cause arthritis and deafness. Some men develop painful, swollen testicles, which in rare instances, leads to infertility.
“Students that have not had a second dose of MMR and are exposed to a case of mumps or measles will be required to isolate themselves from classes and other university activities for several days,” said Dr. Morrison.