CANCDTGEN 004/25

Canadian Cadet General Order (CANCDTGEN)

CJCR Gp Measles Vaccination Guidance

References:

1. Surgeon General message: Measles outbreak in Canada - what you need to know – April 7 2025
2. CANCDTGEN 18/24 Increase in Measles cases in Canada: Health Protection Recommendations for the Canadian Cadet Organizations
3. Measles vaccines: Canadian immunization guide
4. Provincial and territorial routine and catch-up vaccination schedule for infants and children in Canada
5. CF Health Services Group Standard 6635-18, Immunization Schedules (Link accessible only on the DWAN)

1. The Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group (CJCR Gp) continues to monitor the ongoing increase in measles cases in Canada. In spring of 2025 the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Surgeon General released information about measles and the importance of the measles vaccine at reference A. CJCR Gp has provided updated guidance on the measles vaccine below which supersedes reference B.
2. The Commander CJCR Gp, in consultation with the CAF Directorate of Force Health Protection (DFHP) Communicable Disease Control Programme, does not require, but strongly recommends, that all adult staff, cadets, and Junior Canadian Rangers (JCRs) without medical contraindications, be up to date with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or series in accordance with reference C.
3. Measles is an extremely transmissible disease that can cause serious health complications in susceptible individuals. Those who are not immunized and/or have a weakened immune system are at greater risk of contracting measles if exposed. To limit the spread of measles, exposed individuals are advised to isolate, but recommended isolation periods can vary between immune and non-immune individuals. For example, a non-immune individual who is exposed to a confirmed case of measles should undergo an extended period of isolation of up to 21 days following exposure.
4. It is strongly recommended that all adult staff, cadets, and JCRs bring confirmation of a complete measles vaccination to CTC and Enhanced Training Sessions (ETS).
5. Adult staff or parents/guardians of cadets can contact local public health units or community health care providers for copies of measles vaccination records. These records may be in the form of a booklet, electronic, or physical medical record. In the event of a measles case at an overnight Cadet Program or JCR Program activity, persons who cannot produce proof of a completed measles vaccine series will be considered not immune by public health officials.
6. For extended overnight activities which are supported by CAF Health Services, such as CTCs or JCR ETS, all participants attending these activities and who are not immunized against measles should advise medical teams at the first opportunity upon arrival in order to facilitate contingency protective health measures should a measles outbreak occur.
7. The measles vaccine is recommended to be given in early childhood in every province and territory in Canada as part of routine immunization schedules. For the broader health and safety of all persons, CJCR Gp recommends that participants are immunized against all routine vaccine-preventable illnesses in accordance with provincial/territorial schedules, which can be found at reference D.
8. For military members, the CAF DFHP recommends a minimum of two doses of a measles vaccine, regardless of age, in accordance with reference E, as does the Canadian Immunization guide at reference C. Regular Force members and Reserve Force members on a period of Class “B” reserve service greater than 180-days can be vaccinated at their local CAF clinic. Reserve Force members on Class “A” reserve service and Civilian Instructors should contact their primary care provider or a local public health clinic to obtain appropriate vaccinations.
9. General questions regarding this CANCDTGEN may be directed to your Regional Cadet Support Unit (RCSU) Medical Liaison Officer as outlined below:
   1. RCSU (Atlantic):
      1. Lt(N) Robin Coish Robin.Coish@cadets.gc.ca; or
      2. Capt Jeff Waidson Jeff.Waidson@cadets.gc.ca.
   2. RCSU (Eastern):
      1. Capt Lisa Caron Lisa.Caron@cadets.gc.ca.
   3. RSCU (Central):
      1. Capt Robert Bruyns Robert.Bruyns@cadets.gc.ca; or
      2. Capt Naomi-Nisha Charette Naomi.Charette@cadets.gc.ca.
   4. RCSU (Northwest):
      1. Capt Kim Grimard Kim.Grimard@cadets.gc.ca; or
      2. MWO Gerald Power Gerald.Power@cadets.gc.ca.
   5. RCSU (Pacific):
      1. Capt Andrea Crowe Andrea.Crowe@cadets.gc.ca.