As of April 17, 2025, Public Health Ontario has reported 925 confirmed measles cases across the province—more than five times the total number of cases reported in the past 12 years combined.

In response to this alarming surge, Ontario School Safety (OSS), a grassroots volunteer organization, has issued an open letter urging the Ontario government and Public Health Ontario to implement an immediate vaccine-PLUS strategy. This approach goes beyond vaccination by emphasizing the importance of clean indoor air in reducing the transmission of measles and other airborne illnesses.

While vaccination remains critical, OSS highlights that a vaccine-only approach is insufficient due to several challenges, including barriers to vaccine access and the airborne nature of measles, which can linger in indoor spaces for hours.

The open letter calls for immediate government action to fund:

Ventilation and filtration upgrades in schools and school buses,

CO₂ monitoring systems,

Free distribution of high-quality respirators such as N95 and KN95 masks, and

Public education campaigns about measles, airborne transmission, and vaccine access.

Mary Jo Nabuurs, OSS spokesperson, stated:

“Improving indoor air quality curbs the spread of viruses like measles and also addresses issues related to wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and allergens. Investing in air quality is an investment in the health of Ontario’s students, school staff, and the broader community.”

The organization also calls for longer-term solutions, including the integration of updated ventilation standards (like ASHRAE 241) into Ontario’s Building Code, establishing a provincial immunization database, and fostering a culture of shared responsibility around disease prevention.

OSS offers to work directly with the provincial government and educational stakeholders to help implement this vaccine-PLUS strategy effectively and urgently.

For more information or to access the full open letter, visit: www.ontarioschoolsafety.com