Welcome to Skagit County

March 4, 2015

Skagit County Public Health offers two MMR Immunization Clinics

Skagit County Public Health will offer two MMR Immunization Clinics to all Skagit County Residents on Friday 3/13 from 1:00 to 3:30pm and Friday 3/20 from 9:00 to 12:00pm at our immunization office located at Third Floor, 700 South Second Street, Mount Vernon.

In light of the current outbreak of Measles across the nation, and with the a recent case in a Whatcom County resident, the Skagit County Public Health and Community Services Department has the following recommendations for Measles prevention in our community:

Who needs the measles vaccine (MMR)?

• Kids need two doses of MMR –
  • the first dose at age 12-15 months and
  • the second at four to six years of age.
• Young kids who travel and who are at risk need extra measles vaccine: 
  • Infants six to 11 months old need one dose of MMR before travel.

In addition, they still need to get both regular measles vaccine doses –

• the first at 12-15 months old and
• the second at 4-6 years old
  
  
• Kids 12 months or older need two doses of MMR (separated by at least 28 days) before travel.
• Adults born in 1957 or later should get one dose of the vaccine if they haven’t had measles or didn’t get the vaccine in 1968 or later. If you’re unsure, you can have a blood test done that will let you know if you have immunity.  If negative for Measles you should get one dose of MMR.
• Most adults born before 1957 have had measles and are immune. If you are uncertain whether you had disease as a child or not you may have your doctor check your immune status with a blood test.  If negative for Measles you should get one dose of MMR.
• ALL school and daycare employees as well as all Healthcare workers (including those born before 1957);
  • Laboratory confirmation of immunity or
  • 2 doses of MMR vaccine after 1968 and separated by at least 28 days
• International Travelers - 
  • Infants 6 – 11 months; one dose
  • Children 12 months and older; two doses separated by 28 days or more
  • Adults born in 1957 or later; two doses separated by 28 days or more
  • Adults born in 1957 or earlier; laboratory confirmation or one dose of vaccine

Skagit County Public Health and Community Services also recommends that Health Workers assessing a rash illness wear a N95 Mask to assure protection.  Remember that in a fully immunized population, 1% will not develop protective levels.  No vaccine is 100% effective but 99% more effective than no vaccine!