Politics vs. Public Health: Measles Outbreak

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Vamini Selvanandan 

Alberta is in the midst of a measles outbreak — and you would hardly know it. Unlike during the COVID-19 pandemic, our provincial leaders are responding slowly and reluctantly. But we have the highest per capita rate of measles in North America with 1857 cases confirmed as of September 6, 2025 and many more unreported. 

Measles is a highly contagious disease with serious complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation and even death. Pregnant women, young children and those who are immunocompromised are most at risk. The measles vaccine is safe and extremely effective, with one dose of the vaccine providing 90 per cent protection and two doses almost 100 per cent.

Disruptions to childhood immunization programs during the pandemic have contributed to the low measles immunization rates we are seeing today at 72 per cent, far below the 95 per cent coverage needed for herd immunity. But there is another important factor lurking in the shadows: post-pandemic politics. 

The political fallout from pandemic measures left scars within the United Conservative Party. Jason Kenney was forced to step down after plummeting approval from his own base, in part because of anger over COVID-19 restrictions. His successor, Danielle Smith, drew her lesson quickly: avoid strong public health measures, however necessary, if they risk alienating supporters. Within weeks of taking office, she fired Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the public health official who had competently led Alberta through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pattern has repeated itself. When measles cases first surfaced this spring, Alberta’s then Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Mark Joffe, was silent in the public realm. One can only suspect that he was prevented from mounting a robust public health response to decisively end the outbreak.

Meanwhile, the people paying the highest price are rural Albertans. The South, North, and Central health zones have the highest measles rates, while Calgary and Edmonton are less affected. Ironically, it is the very communities most vital to the UCP’s political success that are suffering most from its lack of action.

In Alberta, as in the United States, public health is under attack by politicians and the political strategy is the same: sow mistrust in public health officials and reduce their ability to influence and improve people’s health. What Alberta needs instead is political courage. Leaders should be restoring trust in public health officials, not undermining them. They should be guiding Albertans toward proven measures that protect lives. 

It can be done. Premier Doug Ford in Ontario, no one’s idea of a radical progressive, has publicly endorsed vaccination as the way to end the measles outbreak. Conservatism and public health are not inherently at odds. Protecting people from preventable disease should be common ground for all.

Yet Alberta’s government is moving in the opposite direction. This year, COVID-19 vaccinations will not be covered for most Albertans. Reminiscent of the disastrous “Best Summer Ever” campaign, the UCP seems determined to run another natural experiment on its people by reducing protections that other provinces are maintaining. The likely outcome is obvious: more emergency room visits, more hospitalizations, more avoidable suffering.

Albertans deserve better. We elect politicians to make life safer and healthier, not to put us at risk. If our leaders will not act to protect us, then it falls to us — as voters, parents, and citizens — to hold them accountable.

Vamini Selvanandan is a rural family physician and public health practitioner in Alberta. For more articles like this, visit http://www.engagedcitizen.ca.