As measles continues to spread across Michigan and the U.S., the Monroe County Health Department has set three free measles vaccine clinics for this month.
“The best defense against measles is vaccination,” said Breauna Dungey, personal health director for the Monroe County Health Department. “The vaccine has been highly effective for the past 60 years, and we strongly encourage our community to educate themselves about their immunization status and to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.”
As of July 29, a total of 1,333 confirmed measles cases were reported by 40 jurisdictions, including Michigan, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been three deaths.
“Monroe County does not have any confirmed measles cases,” said Jamie Dean, health officer and director of the Monroe County Health Department.
Do I need a measles vaccine?
“Individuals vaccinated with two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, separated by 28 days, are generally considered protected for life,” Dean said.
“Adults born before 1957 or who have evidence of prior measles illness are considered immune,” the health department said in a news release.
“If you do not have written documentation of MMR vaccinations, it is recommended to get vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. You may ask your doctor to test your blood to determine whether you’re immune,” the health department said.
For children, the first dose of the MMR vaccine is routinely given at about 12-months of age, and the second, starting at 4-years-of-age, the health department said.
More information on measles and measles vaccines is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Where can I get a measles vaccine?
The Monroe County Health Department has set three free walk-in MMR vaccine clinics. Adults and children age 1 and older are welcome. No insurance is necessary. For more information, call 734-240-7830.
The Monroe County Health Department, 2353 S. Custer Road in Monroe, offers vaccines, including MMR, for people of all ages. For an appointment or more information, call 734-240-7830 or 888-354-5500, ext. 7830.
Vaccines also are available at healthcare providers and local pharmacies.
“Children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program may receive the vaccines from a provider enrolled in that program at no cost,” the health department said in a news release.
To find other vaccine sites by zip code, visit the CDC’s vaccine locator webpage.
Is Monroe County well-vaccinated against measles?
It’s difficult to know because adult vaccines are not required to be reported.
“Due to the state reporting requirements, there is not a way to determine an accurate measles vaccine rate for Monroe County adults,” Dean said. “Only children and adolescents under age 20 are required to be reported to the immunization system (MCIR) if the immunizations were administered in Michigan.”
Current data is available for Monroe County’s children.
“In Monroe County, approximately 79% of those aged 19-35 months have received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, while 78% of those aged 13-17 years have received two doses of the MMR vaccine,” the Monroe County Health Department said in the news release. “According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the community immunity threshold for measles is about 92-94%. This means 92-94% of the population needs to be immune to measles (through vaccination or previous infection) to prevent and limit the spread of measles infections.”
How can I find out my vaccine status on all vaccines?
You can obtain your vaccination records from your doctor’s office or the health department.
Adults who were immunized in Michigan also can download their immunization record from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Michigan Immunization Portal.
What are the symptoms of measles?
“Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and through the air,” according to the health department. “Symptoms of measles usually begin seven to 14 days after exposure, but can appear up to 21 days after exposure and may include:
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler atswisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: With measles cases on the rise, Monroe County Health Department sets three vaccine clinics
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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