How are pharmacies stepping up to slow the spread as measles cases continue to rise in Manitoba
Posted March 31, 2026 5:08 pm.
Manitoba is seeing another wave of measles exposures, including at places like IKEA and a children’s play centre in the south end of the city.
As the province continues to report the highest number of cases in Canada, health officials say the vast majority of cases continue to include people who are not vaccinated.
“I know there is many community pharmacies who have had lots of questions from their community members, saying, ‘When can we get the measles vaccine from you? ‘” said Britt Kural, a pharmacy practice advisor with Pharmacists Manitoba.
As the outbreak continues, the province is expanding vaccine access, allowing pharmacists to administer free measles shots to youth between the ages of two and nineteen, which Pharmacists Manitoba calls a step in the right direction.
“What needs to happen now is the government needs to provide some direction, some access, and put some details together to make this something a reality in weeks rather than months,” said Kural.
While details are still being finalized, the goal is to make access available quickly across the province. Pharmacists say increasing vaccination is key to protecting vulnerable Manitobans, including those who cannot be immunized themselves. Going forward, they want to see pharmacists’ scope of care continue to increase.
“A lot of times pharmacists are the only or most reliable points of care for community members with this ongoing shortage of health care practitioners in the province, so it’s really important for the community to know, but the province to realize enabling pharmacists to provide this level of care is really important,” said Kural.
Symptoms of measles can take up to three weeks to appear and include fever, cough, red eyes, and a rash. Manitobans are being urged to check their immunization status.
