A Veteran's Warning: Measles is No Joke

Dr. James Dickinson, a seasoned family physician from Calgary, recalls the terrifying reality of treating measles firsthand. His last encounter with the disease happened on a life-changing day—when his son was born, over 40 years ago. Back then, he made a house call to an 8-year-old girl suffering from a severe case of measles. The symptoms? High fever and distress. Little has changed since then, according to Dr. Dickinson.

The Silent Threat of Measles

"Measles is a severe illness—there’s no two ways about it. It can kill, and it can lead to deadly complications," he warns. In fact, while most kids recover, 1 in 10 can develop pneumonia or ear infections, and a shocking 1 in 1,000 can encounter encephalitis, a brain inflammation that could result in lasting damage.

The Power of Vaccination and Herd Immunity

Dr. Dickinson stresses the importance of vaccines, particularly for protecting not just individual children but their entire communities through herd immunity. Hitting a vaccination rate of about 95% is crucial to keeping the virus at bay. "When parents refuse to vaccinate their children, it raises real ethical concerns. Protecting your kid means protecting all their friends too," he states.

Amidst Rising Cases: Alberta's Response

In Alberta, measles cases are on the rise, with 83 previously communicable cases now resolved and new confirmed cases emerging weekly. Health officials are tight-lipped, leaving many concerned about the lack of public discourse on this easily preventable disease. Former health officials criticized the government's insufficient response, pointing out that up to 30% of Albertans are unvaccinated—six times the danger threshold.

An Urgent Call to Action

Dr. Dickinson is disheartened to see unnecessary suffering in children across Alberta due to measles outbreaks that could be prevented with vaccination. "It’s a shame to see so many kids impacted by something that is easily avoidable. Immunization is the answer—it's time we take action before it's too late!" The message is clear: Vaccinate today to ensure a healthy tomorrow.