Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority is planning "pop up clinics" around the territory to provide measles vaccines to those who need it.
An announcement was released May 23.
"NTHSSA remains committed to supporting this response and is actively planning clinics focused on the MMR vaccine, to ensure eligible residents who are not immunized, can protect themselves from potential exposures in the future," said the unattributed press release. "The NTHSSA also appreciates the cooperation and patience from the public as staff worked to mitigate further exposure of the virus."
No dates or locations have been announced to date, but NTHSSA is directing people to https://www.nthssa.ca/en/pop-up-clinics for information on when and where the clinics will be held.
Officials also thanked Yellowknife Public Health staff for efforts to to immunize students and staff at number of schools in the Yellowknife area following the closure of Weledeh Catholic School and St. Pat's High School on May 5 following a confirmed measles exposure.
"Their rapid response has played a crucial role in helping to curb the spread of the virus and highlights the often unseen but vital work being done behind the scenes to safeguard the health and well-being of our community," says the release. "This includes health care staff who were redeployed to support a large volume of immunization requests received within the first 24 hours of the Public Health Advisory, as well as staff who worked behind the scenes to quickly stand up emergency management measures."
Measles, also known as rubeola, is a highly contagious disease that can have serious complications for children, pregnant women and people who are immunocompromised. Symptoms can appear anywhere from one to three weeks after exposure and complications can range from pneumonia to encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, which can lead to seizures, brain damage and even death.
Symptoms of measles include high fever, a cough and runny nose, red and sore eyes and a red blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body. It is spread through the air by coughing or sneezing, and can also be transmitted through saliva by kissing. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone coughs and is most contagious before symptoms appear.
