Vaccination against measles remains important even though February’s outbreak on the North Olympic Peninsula doesn’t appear to have extended into March.
No new cases have been reported on the Peninsula since four people were diagnosed with measles in February.
They started with a 52-year-old Port Angeles man who was hospitalized with measles Feb. 1 at Olympic Medical Center.
That man apparently infected the second case, a 5-year-old girl who was exposed when she was in a room within two hours of him.
A 43-year-old friend of the man’s came down with the disease, and the 5-year-old’s brother, who is 14, also was diagnosed.
Both the 43-year-old and the teen were in quarantine during the time they were infectious and so did not expose others, health officials said.
Danger until April 6
The danger of infection from this “chain” of cases will remain until April 6, said Iva Burks, Clallam County Health and Human Services director.
It’s also possible that infection could come from other sources.
A usual “measles season” typically runs into summer, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We’re not in the clear yet,” Burks said.
Clinics available
In Port Angeles, no-cost measles vaccinations will be offered from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Health and Human Services public health clinic, 111 E. Third St.
“We’re concerned about people who cannot get off work to get a shot,” Burks said of the clinic’s extended hours.
Vaccine also will be supplied to Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics personnel, who will immunize people at Project Homeless Connect on Saturday at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
Another immunization clinic is planned from 9 a.m. to noon in the Pirate Union Building at Peninsula College, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.
The no-cost vaccinations waive the price of the vaccine, the fee for giving the shots and the administration charge. Combined, they make a $110 immunization available for free.
In Port Townsend, clinics are at the Jefferson County Public Health Clinic at 615 Sheridan St. and Jefferson Healthcare hospital’s walk-in clinic at 934 Sheridan St.
The county clinic operates from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and offers the MMR vaccine on a walk-in basis.
Jefferson Healthcare’s clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Vaccinations aren’t available for walk-ins. People must schedule them by calling 360-379-8031.
The vaccine is free at both clinics. The hospital clinic charges an administrative fee billable to insurance.
