Public Health officials are closely monitoring this week’s Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon, expected to draw a total of 100,000 people through Saturday. Manitoba has recorded more than 400 confirmed and probable measles cases and continues to lead the nation. 

• On-site vaccination: Prairie Mountain Health staff are at the Fair offering vaccinations to those interested. 
• Manitoba Ag Days was linked to dozens of confirmed cases earlier this year, with 40,000 attendees over three days.
• Brandon’s mayor has been discouraging attendees from bringing their babies under six months who have not yet been vaccinated, calling it ​“irresponsible” to do so. 

Pharmacists to administer vaccines: With an order issued Tuesday, over the next several weeks pharmacists will be able to administer MMR vaccines to people aged 2 – 19 in retail pharmacy settings, in what the government called an ​“all hands on deck” approach. Details still under review include how documentation will be administered, recorded and shared with physicians and other providers. 

We want to hear from you: What do you think of expanding the scope of retail pharmacists to administer MMR vaccines? Please email us in confidence at practiceadvice@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.

Talking to patients about vaccines: Please visit our Doctors Manitoba Measles Updates page for physician-curated resources, including tips for talking to patients about making the decision to get vaccinated.