Mom fumes at anti-vaxxers

Photo: CTV News

A B.C. mother is fuming after her vulnerable baby boy may have been exposed to measles, forcing him to be quarantined at home.

Stefania Seccia’s son, Max, was born premature last year at BC Children’s Hospital and had to undergo surgery, CTV News reports. During a return visit early this month, he may have come in contact with a child that had the disease.

"I had to pick my jaw up off the floor," Seccia told CTV. "I thought it was, like, a prank. And he has to stay in isolation until Saturday."

Max turns one year old on Tuesday — too young to be vaccinated — and has to stay at home for a week in case he did contract measles and is contagious.

“We are absolutely infuriated," Seccia said. "It's surreal that in 2019 my son can’t see family, can’t go outside on his first birthday because we just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Max’s health issues means catching measles could have severe ramifications, including brain damage and deafness.

As of Friday, there have been nine confirmed recent measles cases in Vancouver, according to health officials.

The outbreak brings the anti-vaxxer movement back into the spotlight.

“When I think of the anti-vaccine movement I think of these people saying we just want the choice,” Seccia said. “But where is Max’s choice? Where is our choice in this?”

The mom thinks childhood vaccination should be mandatory.

with files from CTV Vancouver