Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health. (Submitted/Government of New Brunswick)
New Brunswick health officials say the province has enough vaccines to deal with the ongoing measles outbreak.
The issue was raised several times during question period in the legislature last week.
On Thursday, Liberal MLA Jean-Claude D’Amours said pharmacists have stated there is a shortage.
“We have enough vaccine for the outbreak, that’s what it’s prioritized for,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health.
“We are in touch with our counterparts at the national level to make sure that remains in place.”
1/2 Early symptoms of the measles may include fever, cough, sore and/or red eyes, runny nose or tiny white spots in the mouth. Within three to seven days, a red blotchy rash will appear, first on the face and then spreading to the body, arms and legs. pic.twitter.com/Bcj8pGC38B
— N.B. Dept. of Health (@NBHealth) June 1, 2019
Russell said the province has given about 9,000 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine since the outbreak started in mid-April.
She said the vaccines they currently have are being prioritized for people who are most at risk.
“If you have been in direct contact with somebody with a diagnosed case of measles, you will be provided with a dose of the vaccine if it’s within the 72-hour period of the time of exposure,” Russell said.
Doses for the routine immunization program for babies aged 12 and 18 months are part of a separate supply stream, she said.
Russell encouraged all other New Brunswickers who want a dose of the vaccine to wait until the outbreak is over.
There have been 12 confirmed cases of measles in the Saint John area since mid-April. The most recent case at Hampton High School was linked to one of the previously confirmed cases at Kennebecasis Valley High School in Quispamsis.
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