Do you need another measles shot as an adult in Alberta? You might

As measles cases rise in Alberta, many adults may be wondering whether they're protected against the highly contagious — and potentially dangerous — virus.

As of Thursday there were 14 confirmed cases in Alberta, including one adult. This tally does not include an Ontario resident with measles who travelled to the Taber area.

Sorting out whether you need to be vaccinated as an adult is complicated and depends on a number of factors, including when you were born.

"It's a good idea to check because many people might assume that they're fully vaccinated but now the rules for fully vaccinated might have changed," said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist with the University of Alberta.

"We're seeing enough transmission that I think it is worth being proactive about it."

Adults born before 1970 are thought to have natural immunity because the virus circulated widely at that time.

In Alberta, those born in 1970 or later — who don't have documentation of two doses, who've never had lab-confirmed measles and who don't have lab testing showing immunity — are eligible for the publicly funded vaccine.

People in that age range should have two doses over their lifetime, according to Alberta's guidelines.

But many people that age likely only have a single dose, Saxinger said.

"If you didn't have two doses, you should get one … If you haven't had any, you should definitely get two."

The shots are supposed to be given at least four weeks apart.

According to Saxinger, the rollout of measles vaccination programs across the country evolved over time and the rules can be different depending on which province you live in.

Even if you were told you only needed one dose in years past, you may be eligible for a second shot now, she noted.

"A lot of, but not all provinces have been modifying the recommendations for people born in 1970 and after. Now I think the bar is lower to offer a second dose," she said.