Measles vaccinations skyrocket in northern B.C. amid virus outbreak

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Vaccinations are on the up and up in northern B.C. this year amid a measles outbreak. 

According to Amanda Lewis, a senior public affairs officer with the B.C. Ministry of Health, there has been a significant increase in vaccinations across northern B.C. in October and November 2025 compared to the same months last year. 

Measles vaccination administrations increased by an average of 65 per cent across northern B.C. year on year in November, and when comparing October 2024 to October 2025, there was an average of 134 per cent increase. 

The largest increase compared by region in the two months compared to their respective month last year was recorded in the northeast, where the ministry saw a 91 per cent increase in November and a 202 per cent increase in October. 

In the northern interior, there was a 49 per cent increase in November and a 139 per cent increase in October, and in the northwest there was a 56 per cent increase in November and a 63 per cent increase in October.

As of the B.C. Centre for Disease Control’s December 18th weekly update, there have been 386 confirmed cases of measles across the province in 2025. Of those, 311 have been reported by Northern Health, and 292 have originated from northeast B.C. 

Symptoms of measles include a fever, red eyes that are sensitive to light, a runny nose and a cough. Individuals might also experience a rash lasting up to a week which spreads from the face and neck to the torso. 

The virus spreads easily through air-borne droplets, and any individuals who believe they have been exposed to the virus or may be infected are advised to stay at home and contact their primary care provider to arrange testing. 

The ministry also reported there had been 49,291 doses of influenza vaccines administered by Northern Health in the 2025/26 respiratory season as of December 14th, and 37,175 doses of Covid-19 vaccines.