South East Health Unit Media Release | March 13, 2025

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Vaccines remain the best protection during ongoing measles outbreak

The South East Health Unit (SEHU, formerly Hastings Prince Edward Public Health; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health; and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit) is urging residents to make sure their immunizations are up to date amid the largest measles outbreak in the province in 30 years. As of March 12, 2025, Ontario has reported a total of 372 measles cases (277 confirmed, 95 probable) associated with this outbreak occurring in 11 public health units. There are currently 32 measles cases in Hastings County.

All cases in Hastings County involve individuals who were NOT previously immunized against measles.

Ensuring your vaccines are up to date is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones and reduce the spread of measles in our community.

“The measles vaccine is safe and highly effective in reducing transmission and preventing severe outcomes from the virus,” says Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO at SEHU. “By working together to ensure that everyone who is able to get vaccinated has done so, we can prevent outbreaks and protect the most vulnerable in the community from measles and its complications.”

Review your immunization records

Please note:

  • Public health may not have records for anyone born in 1985 or earlier. Most individuals born before 1970 are generally presumed to have acquired immunity due to infection in their childhood, as high levels of measles were circulating before 1970.
  • The MMR vaccine is part of the Ontario’s routine immunization schedule, and is required for children attending public schools unless they have an exemption.
  • For individuals who are planning to visit the Grand Erie or Southwestern Public Health regions:
    •  Infants (six to 11 months): Should receive one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two additional doses continue to be recommended after the age of one year.
    • Children (one to four years): Children who have received their first dose of measles-containing vaccine are encouraged to receive a second dose as soon as possible (at a minimum of four weeks from the first dose).
    • Adults (18+ years) born on or after 1970: A second dose of MMR vaccine is recommended.

Get vaccinated

The MMR vaccine is publicly funded and available at your health-care provider’s office or through SEHU’s immunization clinics. Call your health-care provider to book an immunization appointment, or book one at SEHU:

For more information about measles, visit hpePublicHealth.ca/measles-faqs.