COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is urging residents in their three counties who are not vaccinated or do not know if they have been vaccinated to prevent measles, to receive the measles vaccine.
This comes in light of the announcement of new cases of measles in Oakland County, Michigan, Lake County, Indiana, and Montgomery County, Ohio.
Individuals and parents are encouraged to check on their own, or their child’s, vaccine status by contacting the local health department office or online at https://mcir.org.
Measles can begin with a high fever, red eyes, cough, runny nose, and is followed by a red, raised body rash starting on the head and face that then spreads to the rest of the body.
Patients often experience eye pain and sensitivity to light. Cases can be contagious a few days before the rash appears, which increases the possibility of exposing others without knowing.
Health officials say the measles vaccine is highly effective and very safe. Adults born after December 31, 1956, that do not have evidence of immunity, should receive at least one dose of MMR vaccine.
The first of two routine childhood measles vaccine doses is given at 12 months of age. A second vaccine dose is given to children between the ages of four and six.
Children and adults can get vaccinations at any of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency offices. To schedule an appointment and for immunization questions, give your local office a call.
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