B.C. Officials Warn Vaccine Misinformation Is Fueling Measles Risk
Officials say false vaccine claims are lowering childhood immunization rates as 489 measles cases have been reported in B.C. since 2025.
- On Thursday, B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Ravi Kahlon urged parents to update children's immunization records before school starts, warning that vaccine misinformation is driving down vaccination rates.
- Kahlon blamed U.S. officials and online influencers for spreading falsehoods; the United States recorded over 2,700 measles cases in 2026, up sharply from 59 in 2023.
- Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 52 measles cases in B.C. this year, with 30 hospitalizations involving mostly unvaccinated children. Since 2025, 489 cases have occurred, concentrated in Northern Health.
- The provincial government is deploying resources to Northern Health and implementing school protocols to manage potential cases. Youth can independently consent to vaccinations after a maturity assessment, Henry confirmed.
- Health officials recently sequenced a new measles strain in northeastern B.C., underscoring the province's vulnerability to virus importations as students return to classrooms. Updating routine immunizations remains the most effective protection.
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19 Articles
U.S. going backwards on vaccines, stoking unnecessary fears: B.C.’s top doctor
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks during a news conference, in Vancouver, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck VANCOUVER — Vaccine misinformation promoted by United States officials is stoking unnecessary fears about vaccines proven to work, British Columbia’s top doctor said Thursday. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said a recent executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump that recommends s…
B.C. health officials issue reminder about vaccines ahead of new school year - Creston Valley Advance
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there have been 52 people who reported being sick with measles this year. Thirty of those – “mostly children who have not been vaccinated” – ended up sick enough that they needed to be hospitalized for a time, Henry said during a press conference in Vancouver Thursday (Aug. 27). “The good news is that everybody has recovered now, but we are still at risk, and we are seeing importations of measles a…
B.C. health officials issue reminder about vaccines ahead of new school year - Fort St. James Caledonia Courier
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there have been 52 people who reported being sick with measles this year. Thirty of those – “mostly children who have not been vaccinated” – ended up sick enough that they needed to be hospitalized for a time, Henry said during a press conference in Vancouver Thursday (Aug. 27). “The good news is that everybody has recovered now, but we are still at risk, and we are seeing importations of measles a…
B.C. health officials issue reminder about vaccines ahead of new school year - Grand Forks Gazette
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says there have been 52 people who reported being sick with measles this year. Thirty of those – “mostly children who have not been vaccinated” – ended up sick enough that they needed to be hospitalized for a time, Henry said during a press conference in Vancouver Thursday (Aug. 27). “The good news is that everybody has recovered now, but we are still at risk, and we are seeing importations of measles a…
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