Infants aged six months to 11 months can now get a dose of the measles vaccine.
Saskatchewan is making the vaccine available to younger children in areas with measles cases and a high chance of exposure.
That's for children who live in, are traveling to, or have contact with individuals in areas where there is a high risk of measles exposure.
"We're at a point now with the measles outbreak in Saskatchewan and the epidemic of measles across Canada that... risk assessment is at the heart of these new recommendations around vaccine eligibility and expanding vaccine eligibility criteria that now includes infants who are aged 6 months to 11 months years or 11 months old," said SHA Senior Medical Health Officer Dr. Julie Kryzanowski. "Previously, we recommended that infants get immunized on time according to the routine vaccination schedule at 12 and 18 months."
She emphasized the vaccine isn't delayed to 12 months due to a health risk, but because it is more effective at that point in a child's development.
"The MMR vaccine works best when it's given after 12 months of age," Dr. Kryzanowski said. "At that age, those babies are able to produce a good immune response to the vaccine. Whereas less than 12 months of age, they may still have antibodies from their moms that blunt their response to the measles vaccine. When babies or children are immunized at an older age, they get better protection from that vaccine.
"We're currently in a measles outbreak, so we are looking at other strategies to control the outbreak and provide protection to population groups who are at higher risk. And we do know that babies can get seriously ill with measles."
If your child does get an early dose of vaccine, the SHA advises that they will still require the doses at 12 and 18 months to be considered fully vaccinated.
The government has listed Assiniboia, Ponteix, Kindersley, Canora, St. Walburg, and Wakaw as areas with a high risk of exposure.
A recent influx of measles cases in Saskatchewan started in southwest Saskatchewan and has spread across the province.
Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily to others through open air. Symptoms can include fever, cough, red eyes and a blotchy red rash. Severe complications of measles may include pneumonia, swelling of the brain and death.
Individuals with symptoms of measles should stay home and call HealthLine 811 for instructions. SHA is asking you do not seek treatment in person before calling ahead.
They're also emphasizing that the measles vaccine has been safely used for over 50 years and is free in Saskatchewan at public health offices.
You can get the latest measles information here: saskatchewan.ca/measles.
Listen to full comments from Dr. Kryzanowski here: