Families in Carberry now have a more convenient way to access protection against measles, as the provincial government has authorized local pharmacists to administer the vaccine to children and young adults aged 2 to 19. This change, which took effect March 31, 2026, aims to increase vaccination rates by allowing residents to visit a pharmacy for the shot without needing a doctor’s appointment.
The move follows a call from Pharmacists Manitoba for an all-hands-on-deck approach to address the province’s ongoing measles outbreak. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara signed the order on March 30, 2026, stating that expanding the role of pharmacists is a common-sense step to improve access to this important vaccine.
The decision comes as Manitoba faces a significant spike in cases, accounting for approximately two-thirds of all measles infections across Canada in 2026. As of March 21, 2026, the province had recorded 353 confirmed and 54 probable cases, already surpassing the total number of cases reported throughout all of 2025. Data from Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care indicates that 82.9 per cent of cases since February 2025 have occurred in unvaccinated individuals. While no deaths have been reported, 37 people have been hospitalized, including four who required intensive care.
For residents of Carberry, the update is particularly relevant as the community is located within the Prairie Mountain Health region, which has experienced community transmission of the virus. Recent outbreaks in the region have been linked to large public gatherings, including events in Brandon. Local pharmacists, who already provide other vaccines such as those for flu, COVID-19, and pneumonia, are now equipped to help families stay up-to-date with their measles immunization.
Manitoba joins five other provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and British Columbia—that already permit pharmacists to administer the measles vaccine.
