Measles Outbreak Shifts Canadian Views on School Vaccines
Measles is making headlines again in Canada, and it’s not for good reasons. As cases soar to their highest level in decades, more Canadians are calling for mandatory vaccinations for schoolchildren. Yet, a significant group of parents still isn’t convinced.
Support for Mandatory Vaccines Hits New High
According to a new Angus Reid poll, nearly seven in 10 Canadian adults now believe children should be vaccinated against measles to attend school or daycare. That’s a big jump from last year, when just over half felt the same way. Even in Alberta, where vaccine hesitancy runs higher, support has climbed to 60 percent.
But the story doesn’t end there. Among parents with kids under 12, over a third still say vaccination should be a personal choice. And one in five parents with children under 18 either hesitate or outright refuse to follow the recommended vaccine schedule.
Herd Immunity Still Out of Reach
While 69 percent support is encouraging, it falls short of the 95 percent immunization rate needed for herd immunity. This gap leaves communities vulnerable—especially as measles spreads fast among the unvaccinated.
Canada Faces Its Worst Measles Surge in 25 Years
The numbers are sobering. As of late May 2025, Canada has reported 2,515 measles cases across nine provinces. Ontario alone has seen over 1,800 cases—more than the entire United States during the same period. Most infections are in unvaccinated people from communities with low immunization rates.
Health officials are urging everyone to get their shots. One measles vaccine dose given at 12 or 15 months offers up to 95 percent protection. A second dose takes that protection close to 100 percent.
Canadians Trust Vaccines—But Worries Remain
Most Canadians still believe in the science. The poll found 91 percent trust that the measles vaccine works, and 89 percent agree it helps stop the spread. Confidence in vaccine safety is also high—83 percent trust the measles shot, compared to 80 percent for the flu vaccine and 71 percent for COVID-19.
However, concerns linger. Three in 10 Canadians believe vaccines carry a real risk of serious side effects. Among recent Conservative voters, that number jumps to half. Still, fewer people now say the science around vaccines is unclear compared to previous years.
Confidence in Government Response Wavers
While trust in vaccines is strong, faith in provincial governments is shakier. One in four Canadians say they have no confidence in their province’s ability to manage the outbreak. In Alberta, that number rises to 37 percent.
The Takeaway: Vaccination Support Grows, But Hesitancy Lingers
Canada’s measles surge has convinced more people that mandatory school vaccines are needed. Yet, hesitancy remains, especially among parents. As health officials push for higher immunization rates, the message is clear: vaccines work, and with measles on the rise, protection has never been more important.
