Health officials in Northern Saskatchewan are urging residents there to check your vaccination status against measles.
While there are no known active cases in the North, Dr. David Poon, a medical health officer based in La Ronge said this is about taking preventative measures.
In January, the Saskatchewan Health Authority was alerted to a measles case in Saskatoon.
Dr. Poon said that case was deemed travel-related and did not spread. The push right now, comes as measles vaccination rates in some northern communities are lower than SHA target rates.
“In the North, our measles vaccinations by the age of two-years-old are lower than the target we are aiming for. Our target will be 90 percent of all people eligible at two-years-old to have their measles vaccine,” Dr. Poon explained.
Residents can check their vaccination status online through the SHA or at their local health provider.
“Everyone, please make sure that you are immunized against measles. While it’s not here in the North, we want to be prepared that if there ever was a case, that our communities are protected,” Dr. Poon said.
Dr. Poon explained the measles vaccination is very effective and will help communities fend off potential infectious cases. The immunization is generally available through the local health clinic or health provider.