Fact check: Were six babies with unvaccinated mothers born with measles in Canada?

1. Summary of the results

The statement is accurate. Multiple sources confirm that six infants were born with congenital measles in Ontario, Canada, to unvaccinated mothers ^[1]. All six infants have recovered from their infections ^[1], though these cases could have been prevented through maternal vaccination.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial pieces of context are missing from the original statement:

• The cases occurred during a larger measles outbreak that began in fall 2024 ^[1]
• Out of 40 pregnant people infected with measles in Ontario, only two were vaccinated, demonstrating the effectiveness of vaccination ^[2]
• Congenital measles can cause severe complications including:
• Brain inflammation
• Potential death ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

While the original statement is factually accurate, it omits several important contextual elements that could affect public understanding:

• It doesn't mention that these infections were preventable through maternal vaccination ^[1]
• It fails to place these six cases within the broader context of the outbreak, which affected 40 pregnant individuals ^[2]
• The statement doesn't address the serious health implications of congenital measles ^[1]

This context is particularly important as public health officials, including Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, are using these cases to emphasize the importance of maternal vaccination ^[3]. The medical establishment benefits from increased vaccination rates, while anti-vaccination groups might benefit from downplaying the severity and preventability of these cases.