Measles: Canada’s response
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Loss of measles elimination status
Canada first achieved measles elimination status in 1998.
Following a national outbreak that began in October 2024, Canada lost its measles elimination status on November 10, 2025. This was due to ongoing transmission of the same measles virus strain for a period of more than 1 year. Transmission was largely among unvaccinated and under-vaccinated communities.
Losing elimination status doesn’t mean that measles is widespread in all communities. “Elimination” is a technical classification used to guide ongoing protection of the population through:
- vaccination programs
- monitoring programs that track the spread of disease
- response efforts, such as:
- reaching out to people who were in close contact with someone who has measles
- providing potential contacts with information on measles and what to do if they develop symptoms
- in some cases, offering potential contacts protective antibodies
- antibodies are proteins that neutralize or destroy toxins or disease-carrying organisms
Regaining measles elimination status
Canada has strong vaccination programs and public health infrastructure, such as:
- routine childhood vaccinations
- the opportunity for catch-up vaccinations for those who may have missed a vaccination
- ways to track infections like measles to provide early warning to regions so they can act quickly
We’re working with provinces, territories and other national vaccination partners to:
- strengthen vaccination coverage
- enhance monitoring activities
- stop transmission within Canada
Canada can regain elimination status if transmission of the current measles strain is stopped for at least 12 consecutive months.
The Pan American Health Organization, through their Regional Verification Commission, has provided recommendations to help Canada regain measles elimination status.
Activities are underway to address these recommendations in collaboration with our provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners.
Areas of work
Areas of work include:
- strengthening monitoring activities and data sharing
- addressing immunity gaps
- supporting engagement and collaboration
- advancing knowledge mobilization and combatting misinformation
Examples of ongoing activities include:
- improving the quality of Canada’s measles surveillance system
- strengthening approaches that target under-vaccinated and vaccine-hesitant populations
- continuing to share information and best practices on measles-related activities with international measles partners, including:
- the World Health Organization
- the Pan American Health Organization
- other countries experiencing similar outbreaks
- strengthening public knowledge on the health risks of getting measles and the importance of getting vaccinated to:
- build confidence in vaccination
- address mis- and disinformation