Faced with over 1,000 confirmed measles cases across Ontario, a provincial advocacy group is calling for a multi-pronged approach to combat the virus, emphasizing that vaccinations alone are insufficient to ensure public safety.

The Call for a ‘Vaccine-Plus’ Strategy

Ontario School Safety (OSS), a grassroots institution advocating for safe in-person education, is urging provincial officials to adopt a “vaccine-plus” strategy. Mary Jo Nabuurs, the organization’s media relations and outreach officer, expressed deep concern over the recent surge in measles cases.

OSS is very concerned about the increase in measles cases seen in recent weeks. Knowing how hazardous measles can be and that schools and school buses are often responsible for transmission of viruses into the wider community, we believe strongly that the provincial government, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, and Public Health ontario must do more, and quickly, to get the spread of measles under control.

Mary Jo Nabuurs, Ontario School Safety

Beyond Vaccination: Addressing Airborne Transmission

OSS has outlined its concerns in an open letter, arguing that vaccination rates, particularly among young children, are too low to achieve herd immunity quickly. Moreover, they highlight the airborne nature of the measles virus, which can linger in the air for up to two hours.

According to Nabuurs, Vaccination rates are very low, particularly among young children, with breakthrough infections also occurring in those believed to be fully vaccinated. Getting to the level needed for herd immunity (95%) will take time. Also, measles is airborne and can linger in the air for up to two hours, meaning we must also look to reduce measles cases that people acquire by simply breathing in someone else’s breath.

The Vaccine-Plus Approach Explained

The “vaccine-plus” strategy advocated by OSS encompasses increasing vaccination rates while together ensuring healthy air quality in schools and school buses.

This is a strategy that includes increasing vaccination rates while also ensuring there is healthy air to breathe in all school and school bus settings.This strategy is an achievable and equitable approach to substantially reducing measles spread. Many of the tools to implement this strategy are available, and the sources supporting this approach are plentiful.

Mary Jo Nabuurs, Ontario School Safety

Call to Action for Families

OSS is urging families to contact their Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs), local public health officials, and school boards to advocate for stronger measles prevention measures.

We urge them to launch and support a robust public health education campaign regarding the risks associated with measles, the need for vaccination, and the need for better indoor air quality, Nabuurs stated. We ask families to share our letter with anyone who would benefit from having the information, and to visit our website and social media channels to find out more about the numerous benefits healthy air in Ontario’s schools and school buses provide staff and students, Ontario’s workforce, our healthcare system, and the economy.