Call to ARMS: recent measles outbreak reminds us of the importance of immunizations.

Abstract

As health advisories go, the one this past summer released by the Public Health Agency of Canada went by largely unnoticed. Issued in July, the advisory alerted Canadians to the identification of nearly 30 cases of measles across six different provinces-including Alberta. Most of those cases were travel related, and involved travelers bringing measles back with them to Canada. A few small news articles followed, but by August most people had forgotten all about it. Except for experts and epidemiologists, who recognize that outbreaks like these should remind everyone that measles is not only poised for a resurgence, but already gaining headway in some parts of the world. And that's exactly why RNs and NPs should be encouraging more people to take vaccinations seriously.