Due to the recent increase in measles cases in the community, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has opened a Measles Information Centre at its Chatham Site to offer guidance to those who have been exposed to the measles virus and are not fully vaccinated.
Hospital officials say if you or your child have been exposed to the measles virus and are not fully vaccinated, call CKHA at 519-352-6400 for further directions about visiting the Measles Information Centre.
Visits to the Measles Information Centre must be pre-scheduled.
“Please call ahead to arrange an appointment at the centre,” hospital officials said in a media release.
You are considered immune to measles if you:
– Were born before 1970
– Have had a measles infection in the past
– Have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine
“If you are pregnant or immunocompromised and have been exposed to the measles virus, please contact your Family Physician/Nurse Practitioner (preferred) or the Measles Information Centre for further instruction,” CKHA officials say.
“If you or your child have NOT been exposed to the measles virus and would like to receive the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, please contact your Family Physician/Nurse Practitioner or CK Public Health at 519-352-7270 ext. 5902 for guidance,” hospital officials say.
“If you do not have access to a Family Physician/Nurse Practitioner, the MMR vaccine (first or second dose) will be available at the Chatham-Kent Seasonal Care Clinic located outside of CKHA’s Chatham Site Emergency Department, starting on Thursday, March 13. Those who attend the clinic for an MMR vaccine will be required to visit the registration desk in the Emergency Department and will be seen on a walk-in basis. Please bring your health card and yellow immunization card.”
The clinic operates between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last registration taking place at 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
“Out of an abundance of caution, visiting restrictions will be in place on CKHA’s Women and Children’s Unit until further notice,” hospital officials said, adding people can visit https://www.ckha.on.ca/measles-information/ for more information about visiting restrictions.
CKHA and local public health officials are actively monitoring the situation and working to prevent further transmission. Public cooperation is essential in managing the spread of measles and protecting our community.
For more information about measles, please visit www.ckphu.com/health-topics/diseases-infections/list-of-infectious-diseases/.
