Interim chief medical officer of health appointed
Dr. Sunil Sookram has temporarily been appointed as interim chief medical officer of health for Alberta.
Alberta’s government welcomes Dr. Sunil Sookram as interim Chief Medical Officer of Health, effective immediately. This temporary appointment ensures continuity while arrangements are finalized for a longer-term appointment. Additional updates will be shared in the coming weeks as the process progresses.
“Dr. Sookram has served Albertans through emergency medicine throughout his career. He brings a wealth of experience to this interim role. I appreciate his willingness to serve in this capacity on a temporary basis as we work to finalize the candidate for the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health position. I also wish to thank Dr. Mark Joffe for his service and dedication over the past three years.” — Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health
Dr. Sookram currently serves as facility medical director and chief of medical staff at Strathcona Community Hospital. He is also a clinical professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alberta and practises as an emergency physician at the University of Alberta Hospital. He brings years of front-line experience and leadership to the interim role. He also has recent experience working within Alberta Health. Through this period of transition Dr. Sookram will also be supported by Zone Medical Officers of Health at Alberta Health Services.
“I'm happy to serve as Alberta's interim chief medical officer of health. I look forward to working with the government, my colleagues and health partners to promote and protect the health of all Albertans.” — Dr. Sunil Sookram, interim chief medical officer of health
The Chief Medical Officer of Health plays a key role in monitoring and supporting public health, advising on disease control, and helping guide population health efforts across the province. The position acts as a liaison between the government and Alberta Health Services, medical officers of health and executive officers in administering the act.
Current measles information
As of April 17, there have been 89 confirmed measles cases in Alberta. Of those, 83 individuals are now past the period of communicability.
Measles is an extremely contagious disease that spreads easily through the air. While outbreaks can happen, they are preventable. The measles vaccine is highly effective and offers strong protection against infection and complications from the disease. Albertans can protect themselves, their loved ones and people around them by ensuring their measles immunizations are up to date.
In Alberta, the MMR primary series is administered at 12 months and 18 months of age. In January 2021, Alberta changed its immunization schedule for the second dose of measles-containing vaccine from four to six years to 18 months, primarily to support children entering daycare, pre-school programs and kindergarten.
As of April 17, all infants six to 12 months travelling outside of Canada are eligible for a null dose. In addition, infants six to 12 months travelling to or through areas where measles is spreading in Canada are also eligible. This includes:
Alberta: Central Zone, South Zone, and Areas 1 and 8 in North Zone
Ontario: Southwestern region
If you have any questions about measles or immunizations, please contact your primary care provider such as your doctor, pharmacist, midwife, nurse practitioner or public health nurse.
If you don’t know you or your child’s immunization history, text "vaccine record" to 88111, call Health Link at 811, or call your local public health or community health centre.