Dr. Hortense Tabien, medical health officer for the Saskatchewan Health Authority, describes getting vaccinated as our collective responsibility to prevent the spread of measles.

She says pregnant moms, babies younger than 12 months and those with compromised immunity are very vulnerable and can’t be vaccinated. Dr. Tabien says community immunity will protect them.

“It comes from travel, and we also have it in pockets where people are unvaccinated.  I would say that’s where people are more vulnerable, but you can get measles everywhere and the message here is if you are vaccinated you are almost a hundred per cent protected from getting sick.”

If you think you have been exposed to measles, call 811. She says don’t go to the hospital without calling ahead.

“It is a very contagious disease. So, it’s better for you to stay isolated at home and you will get care.  Arrangements can be made to get you tested from home or to arrange for you to get somewhere to get tested.”

Last Thursday it was revealed there are now six cases of measles in the province and the latest case involved an individual who had traveled from Mexico through the United States.