Anti-vax conspiracies fuel Canada’s measles crisis
By Lethbridge Herald on April 23, 2025.
By Doug Firby
Troy Media
Measles, declared eradicated in Canada in 1998, is making a big comeback in several provinces and around the world.
The situation has become so urgent in Alberta that Dr. Mark Joffe, the province’s chief medical officer of health, gave in to pressure from prominent health officials and broke his longstanding silence on the topic. He issued an urgent warning.
“Measles is more serious than other common childhood illnesses. It can cause pneumonia, brain swelling and even death,” Joffe said in a statement published online last week. He went on to recommend that the public get vaccinated.
To which one wonders, what took him so long?
Albertans are the most vaccine-hesitant Canadians, according to surveys. In the absence of clear medical direction, they are reluctant to take advantage of the easy and free way to stop the spread: two doses of vaccine. Some even believe that vaccination is potentially more harmful than the disease. It’s a dangerous misperception that needs to be constantly challenged by trusted voices.
As of last Friday, Alberta has seen 58 new cases in 2025, according to Joffe, making it the third highest in the country. Also on Friday, Ontario reported more than 914 cases in 2025, and Quebec has seen the second-highest increase. Only Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the territories have no reported cases this year, although New Brunswick had 50 in 2024.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that outbreaks in all regions of the world are the result of stagnant or inadequate immunization rates. In particular, it points to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Samoa and Ukraine as hotspots. Worldwide infection rates hit a record 10 million cases in 2018, with more than 140,000 deaths.
The causes of outbreaks vary, but at the root is failure to vaccinate, the WHO states.
Not surprisingly, measles is growing in Canada because more people who visit our country from Europe and other hotspots are bringing the virus with them. And Canadians, perhaps smugly believing the disease was gone for good, have let their guard down.
Measles could easily be prevented if enough parents agreed to get their children vaccinated. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that community immunity, also known as herd immunity, can be achieved when more than 95 per cent of people in a community are vaccinated.
Yet in Canada, vaccination rates for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) declined in 2023 compared with 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published in October 2024 in the Canadian Journal of Public Health. The first-dose rate of MMR vaccine dropped from 89.5 per cent to 82.5 per cent.
In Alberta, where the most recent statistics are from 2022, just 74 per cent of Alberta children were fully vaccinated against measles, with two doses, by the age of seven. That’s worse than in 2018, when it was 78 per cent. And there are pockets in the province where vaccination rates were as low as 45 per cent.
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases—more contagious than diseases like COVID-19, the flu and chickenpox—and it spreads rapidly in areas with low vaccination rates, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). The measles virus spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes or even talks, and can also spread by touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with the virus.
PHAC, the federal agency, has asked provinces and territories to report levels of MMR or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccination. As of October 2024, five provinces and one territory—Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Yukon—have submitted reports to Standardized Reporting on Immunization (STARVAX).
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, has spoken out publicly, warning that measles is a serious illness, with about one in five infected children requiring hospitalization. Other provinces have also sounded early warnings. In March, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, stated: “It is critical we work together to mitigate further spread of this vaccine-preventable disease.”
Last week, before Joffe’s statement, an Alberta Health spokesperson told CBC News that Joffe had made no public announcement because he was busy leading the response to the measles outbreaks across the province. “Dr. Joffe and public health officials have been working closely with Alberta Health Services and their public health team to manage the outbreak response. He has been monitoring the situation closely and providing guidance and advice to medical officers of health.”
It’s not surprising that Joffe, appointed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith after his predecessor was fired, took months to issue the warning. History has shown that too much communication can be a career-killer. It was just November 2022, after all, when Smith fired Dr. Deena Hinshaw and installed Joffe as her replacement.
Hinshaw had been providing daily updates on the COVID-19 pandemic throughout most of 2020 and into 2021. But she stopped holding regular briefings in June 2021, reportedly under political pressure.
And it is widely believed her recommended loosening of restrictions in the summer of 2021 was in response to pressure from then-premier Jason Kenney. In May 2021, he notoriously removed nearly all COVID-19 measures and declared this would be the “best summer ever.”
We know how that move worked out. COVID cases surged.
And yet, despite that bitter lesson, our provincial leaders have not campaigned for MMR vaccination. It appears Smith either agrees with, or is reluctant to offend, the anti-vax, anti-science crowd from which she draws a significant portion of her support.
And Joffe? Well, any health leader who relies on the province for employment would naturally be circumspect in public pronouncements.
Doug Firby is an award-winning editorial writer with over four decades of experience working for newspapers, magazines and online publications in Ontario and western Canada.
25-24
With measles being near eradicated 65 years ago with a vaccine, the trust in vaccines went down the tubes with the COVID scare. People just said to hell with t and now question every vaccine. Unable to discern between which is good, bad, or created nonsense some shun all. Create the fear and complain that some people in many eyes are too stupid to know the difference. Take your kids and get a measles vaccine. Don’t be part of another lockdown.
seeing it much the same way. my outlook has been that vaxes for what are basically static viruses seem to have proven to be prudent choices. however, the vaxes for viruses that mutate with fervor seem to be lacking. moreover, there is reticence for for many with regard to the integrity of vaxes over the last generation or more. somehow, it seems we could trust pharma more way back when; now, they are so profit driven, they seem to just throw stuff out there with far fewer concerns, and they get away ever so lightly whenever they have injured and poisoned the consumer.
there is also the concern of vaxing and the asperger/autism spectrum. not to say there is a link, but there are many that are concerned. mind you, we have had a massive increase in the per capita of those on that spectrum in the western world; we seem to have only studies that have been conducted by, or funded by, pharma that assure there is no correlation.
another issue are the adjuvants. seems 5 additional ones, besides the long standing use of alum, have been in use as of the 1990s. an example of pharma rolling stuff out without knowing enough: “Adjuvants are vaccine components that enhance the magnitude, breadth and durability of the immune response. Following its introduction in the 1920s, alum remained the only adjuvant licensed for human use for the next 70 years. Since the 1990s, a further five adjuvants have been included in licensed vaccines, but the molecular mechanisms by which these adjuvants work remain only partially understood.” https://www.nature.com/articles/s41573-021-00163-y
This brings back memories re: squalene. Squalene was the adjuvant used in the vaccine for anthrax at the time of the Desert Storm Gulf War for military personnel and has come to the fore re: veterans and the Persian Gulf War syndrome, i.e. seemingly autoimmune illnesses. Squalene was also used in the H1N1 vaccine. It was not, I believe, included in the H1N1 vaccines for pregnant women. I seem to remember the controversy re: that ‘non-squalene’ H1N1 vaccines being made available in Germany to prominent people but not, to the general population….which, did not go over well. It made me make the decision to not take the H1N1 vaccine in the day (2009, I believe) when I was still a frontline health care professional. ( I did not get H1N1)
Going to Google and asking re: squalene in vaccines now is interesting, detailed reading.
Also, to learn what squalene is and where it occurs naturally in plants, animals, and humans, particularly “abundant in fish liver oils, especially those harvested from sharks.” And more……
thank you for this important sharing. while many continue to have blind faith in govts and big corps, there has been what appears to be an increase in skepticism, cynicism, and a reactive recoil to these institutions that make it their business to lie, deceive, and usurp ever more power from the people to whom they are actually supposed to be of service.
on another point, it is rather curious how we appear to have moved from what seemed to be a separation of church and state, but now are have so cemented the melding of big corp and state such that the oligarchs are our de facto leaders.
with regard to that h1n1 vax health canada approved, some utterly delicious substances injected straight into our bodily system. while we were discussing the concern around newer adjuvant use, let us not overlook the further concerns regarding antigens. here is that health canada approved gunk; note in the antigen the use of mercury, which of course is wonderfully widespread present in our vax system; also, that polysorbate 80 is injected into us, despite some significant health concerns related to that product. it is wise to be aware that polysorbate 80 is extensively used in all manner of products besides “medicines”, including a broad spectrum of food and cosmetics. first, a copy of the health canada info on that wonderful h1n1 vax; then, a snippet of the polysorbate related issues:
“Antigen:
Split influenza virus, inactivated, containing antigen* equivalent to:
A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)v-like strain (X-179A) 3.75µg HA** per 0.5mL dose
* isolated from virus propagated in eggs
** HA = haemagglutinin
Preservative content is 5µg Thimerosal USP per 0.5mL dose or 2.5 micrograms organic mercury (Hg) per 0.5mL dose
Adjuvant:
DL-α-tocopherol 11.86 milligrams/0.5mL dose
Squalene 10.69 milligrams/0.5mL dose,
Polysorbate 80 4.86 milligrams/0.5mL dose
The suspension and emulsion vials, once mixed, form a multidose vaccine in a vial. See section Nature and Contents of Container for the number of doses per vial.
For a full list of excipients, see section List of Excipients under 5.0.
and now for the polysorbate:
“InfertilityFor instance, this study suggests a link between the ingredient and infertility in mice.
As part of the research process, newborn female rats received injections of Tween 80 at concentrations of 1%, 5%, or 10% from days 4 to 7 after birth.
This treatment sped up their maturation, extended their estrous cycles, and caused a continuous state of vaginal estrus. It also reduced the relative size of their uteruses and ovaries compared to untreated rats.
There were changes in the uterine cells and the lining of the uterus that suggested ongoing estrogen stimulation. The ovaries lacked corpora lutea and showed signs of follicle degeneration.
Anaphylactic ShockA separate study suggested that Polysorbate 80 could trigger anaphylactic shock in pregnant women.
The study involved a patient who had a severe allergic reaction following the intravenous administration of a vitamin product during pregnancy, with Polysorbate 80 identified as the culprit. The tests showed that the response was not linked to immune system antibodies, highlighting the agent’s potential for causing non-immune severe reactions.
While this finding raises concerns, I would be wary of this study as it was based on a single pregnant woman. While doctors identified Polysorbate 80 as the cause, no other incidences of this type of reaction have been reported.
Bowel ProblemsA recent study has shown a real connection between the consumption of polysorbate 80 and the development of bowel problems – posing a significant concern for individuals predisposed to Colitis.
The study found that two emulsifiers, carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, can cause low-grade inflammation, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in mice. These substances also worsened colitis in mice predisposed to the condition.
The health issues were linked to changes in the gut microbiome, including altered microbial composition and increased inflammation. The use of germ-free mice and fecal transplants in the research confirmed that these changes in the gut bacteria were essential for causing the observed inflammation and metabolic problems.
Crohn’s DiseaseSimilarly, this study linked Polysorbate 80 to exacerbate Crohn’s Disease.
The study showed that E. coli bacteria moved more quickly through specific gut cells in people with Crohn’s disease and healthy individuals. Adding substances from plantain and broccoli reduced this movement significantly, but apple and leek had no effect.
A typical food additive, Polysorbate-80, increased the movement of bacteria. Plantain also helped reduce bacteria movement in a part of the gut’s immune system, while Polysorbate-80 increased it.
Polysorbate 80 has also been causally linked with an increased risk of blood clots, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and tumor growth or recurrence in patients with certain types of cancer.”
https://thegoodhuman.com/what-is-polysorbate-80/
AMAZING STUFF, RIGHT? now, if only these were the only significant health concerns we ingest/inject into our bodies coming from pharma/chem cos. it is all the more alarming that we are subject to an onslaught of sundry such chemicals which pose health concerns for us all. at the end of each day, month, year, in tandem and all together, well, it may be no wonder the likes of cancers and chronic diseases are so prevalent.
Right…thanks for posting this. It is extensive.
The warnings re: red measles are valid…I had it in the day when there were no MMR vaccines yet….I may have never been so ill in my life, and lived, to tell the tale.
And Dr. Mark Joffe? This:
“Chief Medical Officer of Health of Health Mark Joffe is out, seemingly unexpectedly. UCP also introduces obviously unconstitutional ‘Compassionate Intervention Act.’
http://www.albertapolitics.ca/2025/04/contract-expired-chief-medical-officer-of-health-mark-joffe-is-out-seemingly-unexpectedly/
this is worth a read. our best defence, as with all things consumer related, is to get informed and stop buying (thus, do not buy into) that which we do not ethically support.Products That Contain Squalene”Known as a natural lubricating oil with moisturizing properties, squalene can be found in the following beauty products:2
“Squalene, Shark Products and Vaccines.” Shark Stewards.
all magnificent stuff we so incredibly need, right?
Squalene From Sharks
Because deep-sea sharks have particularly fatty livers—needed to withstand the pressure of the ocean—these species are intensely hunted squalene jackpots. According to a 2012 survey by the marine conservation coalition Bloom Association, 2.7 million sharks are killed every year just for their livers.3
The survey, titled “The Hideous Price of Beauty,” found that the cosmetics industry accounts for an astonishing 90% of the global demand for shark liver oil. That’s an estimated 1,900 tons of squalene used for hair conditioners, creams, lipsticks, foundations, sunscreens, and more—some even audaciously labeled as “cruelty-free.”3
“The Hideous Price of Beauty: An Investigation Into the Market of Deep-Sea Shark Liver Oil.” .
Even worse, more recent reports say that demand for the ingredient has increased over the past decade.1
Today, the mass slaughtering of sharks for their prized liver oil is taking a major toll on certain populations.1 And when apex predators suffer, so does the health of the entire ecosystem.4
Oceana says deep-sea sharks—which are most coveted by the beauty industry—are especially vulnerable because they have such long lifespans and, therefore, slow reproduction rates.5 For example, the leafscale gulper shark that lives in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans doesn’t reach sexual maturity until about 35 years old.6 In 2019, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) elevated the species’ listing from vulnerable to endangered.7
Overfishing (for fins, meat, leather, and oil) is reportedly the leading reason why global populations of oceanic sharks and rays declined by 71% from 1970 to 2020.8 According to the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation, there are at least 60 species that are fished for squalene—among them kitefin sharks, Portuguese dogfish sharks, and gulper sharks—and 26 of those are vulnerable to extinction.”
https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-squalene-5200471