Gallatin City-County Health Department has announced it will host walk-in immunization clinics for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) next week, as people begin to travel for Spring Break.
The clinics will be open from 1-4:30 p.m. on March 11-14 at the Health Department. In a media release, the department said anyone who has not received recommended doses of vaccine can reduce their risk before traveling to areas with reported cases of the diseases.
According to the Health Department, so far in 2019 measles cases have been reported in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. International destinations that have reported some measles or mumps activity include Europe, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Japan, Israel, and British Columbia.
“We’re doing all we can to ensure that vacationers return to Gallatin County with souvenirs and some sun on their face, and without preventable diseases,” said Matt Kelley, Health Officer with Gallatin City-County Health Department. “Most children and adults have received the vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella. This clinic is for those who have not but wish to build their immunity.”
Health officials recommend giving a first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 months of age and a second dose at 4 years.
Gallatin City-County Health Department is located at 215 W. Mendenhall in downtown Bozeman.
MMR VACCINE INFORMATION FROM GALLATIN CITY-COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
The MMR vaccine, which protects people from measles, mumps and rubella, is recommended to be given at 12 months and again at 4 years of age. Two doses of MMR protect 99% of people from measles and 88% of people from mumps. The vaccine is safe and effective.
Measles is a virus transmitted person to person through aerosolized respiratory droplets. A person can be contagious with the measles virus for up to four days before the characteristic rash appears. Measles can live in the air for up to two hours after a person leaves, which makes the disease more contagious than mumps and whooping cough. There is no treatment, other than supportive therapy for measles.
If there is a case of measles in a school in Gallatin County, it is likely that all exposed unvaccinated students will be excluded for at least 21 days.
If you are unsure of your vaccine coverage you can call your healthcare provider to check your immunization records. ImMTrax, Montana’s immunization database is available for providers to access and check immunizations given in other locations. MMR is required for school and daycare attendance, so those facilities may also have copies of your immunization records. If you have questions please call your healthcare provider or Gallatin City-County Health Department at 582-3100. The Health Department accepts most types of insurance and participates in the Vaccines for Children program therefore lack of insurance coverage will not be a barrier to having protection.
