High Vaccine Coverage in British Columbia's Lower Mainland Offers Population Protection Against Measles

Strategic Insights -

Residents in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, have shown a high level of immunity to measles, with 90% of people having detectable antibodies against the disease. This high coverage is attributed to the strong vaccine uptake in the region, particularly among children, with 92% to 94% of 2- to 3-year-olds and 97% of 4- to 6-year-olds showing measles antibodies. This level of immunity is sufficient to suppress sustained or generalized measles transmission, according to Dr. Danuta Skowronski and coauthors.

Key Takeaways:

  • 90% of people in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, have detectable antibodies against measles, indicating high vaccine coverage and population protection.
  • The high level of immunity is attributed to strong vaccine uptake, particularly among children, with 92% to 94% of 2- to 3-year-olds and 97% of 4- to 6-year-olds showing measles antibodies.
  • Measles outbreaks in the region have been sporadic, self-limited, or centered on linked and largely nonvaccinated individuals or communities.
  • ensuring high 2-dose coverage in the general population remains critical to elimination of measles.
  • Serousurveys help identify areas for improvement in vaccine coverage and can clarify estimates of vaccination coverage, inform vaccination catch-up, and support measles elimination efforts.
  • The majority of parents in the region know the importance of vaccinating their children, and high vaccine uptake among children is a key factor in the high level of immunity observed in the region.
  • Dr. Danuta Skowronski and coauthors suggest that periodic population-based serosurveys can inform vaccination catch-up and other program adjustments to support measles elimination efforts.

Statistics:

  • 90%: The percentage of people in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, with detectable antibodies against measles.
  • 92% to 94%: The percentage of 2- to 3-year-olds with measles antibodies.
  • 97%: The percentage of 4- to 6-year-olds with measles antibodies.
  • 4000: The number of measles cases reported in Canada as of August 2025, a fivefold increase over any full-year tally since Canada achieved measles elimination status in 1998.
  • 2 years old: The age at which children in British Columbia typically receive their second dose of measles vaccine.

Sources:

  • A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.250788)
  • News report by NewsRx (NewsRx, 2025 NOV 2)