Adult Vaccinations

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency issued a health advisory to the local medical community to be on the lookout for mumps given the unusually high number of cases being reported in the region. Sixty San Diego County residents have been reported with confirmed or probable mumps so far in 2019, the greatest number in over 25 years. In comparison, nine cases were reported in 2018 and 15 the year before that. “We’re asking providers to report suspected mumps cases to the County, and we’d like the public to know about the symptoms of mumps, so they seek care,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. 2019's mumps cases range in age from 9 months to 79 years of age—average age is 28 years and 37 cases (62%) were men. San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency There have been no deaths; however, six people were hospitalized. Two people had hearing loss and five men had swelling of the testicles. Neighboring counties...

Samoa's measles outbreak rages on, with the ministry of health reporting 32 deaths as of Tuesday, almost all of which have been among children aged 4 and younger. The island nation of fewer than 200,000 has tallied 2,427 measles cases in the outbreak thus far, with more than 10% of those recently reported over a single 24-hour period, according to the ministry of health. In an effort to stem the infectious disease's transmission, the government declared a state of emergency on Nov. 15 and initiated a mandatory vaccination program for priority groups, including children and women of childbearing age who aren't pregnant. The best protection against measles is getting the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . It typically takes about 10 to 14 days for the vaccine to become effective. Since Samoa's mass vaccination campaign started on Nov. 20, at least 24,000 people have been immunized against measles. ...

Mumps has been in the news across the Lowcountry since an outbreak began at the College of Charleston in late September. The college announced Tuesday the total of confirmed cases on campus now sits at 56.  A student at Summerville High School on Monday presented a case of mumps — bringing the state's total of confirmed cases to 79, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. After Dorchester District 2 officials were notified that a student had been diagnosed with mumps, it was immediately reported to DHEC, said district spokeswoman Pat Raynor. District parents were notified late Monday evening that a single case of mumps had been reported, Raynor said. DHEC also sent a letter to around 100 students who were in classes with the affected student informing them to keep a watchful eye out for symptoms in the coming weeks.  "We certainly don't want parents to be unnecessarily alarmed," Raynor said. "This is one case that...

The measles outbreak was declared Oct. 16 and is spreading rapidly throughout the island with unprecedented severity, CDC officials said. Children under 5 account for nearly half of cases. In late November, the Pacific nation closed schools nationwide and indefinitely banned children younger than 17 from public gatherings. The number of measles cases represents more than 1 percent of the population of nearly 200,000. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known . It can cause serious health complications, such as pneumonia or encephalitis, and death. Two doses of the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella are 97 percent effective in preventing measles. The high number of recent infections indicates that the Samoan crisis is far from over: The Health Ministry said 243 cases were reported in the previous 24 hours. “It does not appear, from the numbers we’ve been seeing, that it has peaked yet,” Helen Petousis-Harris , a vaccine safety expert at the University of Auc...

By Daniel J. Stone Los Angeles Times It is one of the most effective ways to protect our health: herd immunity. By vaccinating the vast majority of people in a population, we can guard against the spread of potentially deadly infections. When we allow this collective immunity to dissipate, the results can be devastating —sometimes even for people who have been vaccinated. Just ask my patient J. J.’s ordeal began with a routine dinner at an Italian restaurant in Culver City, Calif., in October. A few days later, his wife called me with the news of a possible measles case at the restaurant the same day. I wasn’t worried because J. had attended Los Angeles public schools, which require vaccinations, and a key vaccine such as MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) would not have slipped through the cracks. A few days later, J.’s wife called again. He now had a low-grade fever but no rash. It seemed likely that the measles exposure was a coincidence, but we both were concerned. Measles is rare in...

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KFTA)  —  The University of Arkansas is raising awareness on mumps prevention after nine cases of the virus confirmed on campus this fall. Staff went around posting fliers and ramping up awareness so students take the necessary precautions. The Health Department is also warning students about sharing food, drinks and vaping devices. University Student Danielle Fairbaek said, “I was shocked. I didn’t think that coming to college I would have to worry about that but I’m glad that they are taking the precautions to handle it now.” All students at the university have been notified of the mumps outbreak. The school has identified about 300 students as under-vaccinated and nearly 100 had no vaccination at all because of medical, religious or philosophical exemptions.  Pat Walker Health Center’s spokesperson Zac Brown said that is a small percentage of the campus. “I think the message here is that 99-percent of the school population of the Univ...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Mumps outbreak at U. of Arkansas has students taking precautions    KATV https://ift.tt/2OJAQVW

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Schools are cracking down on new vaccine law change    KEPR 19 Razorbacks to make vaccine available to athletes, staff after mumps cases on campus    Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Nine mumps cases at Fayetteville during fall semester    Magnoliareporter Editorial: Listen to your doctor on vaccines | Editorials    Bend Bulletin University of Arkansas: 9 mumps cases reported, health advisory issued    Outbreak News Today View full coverage on Google News https://ift.tt/2qzxrkt

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Razorbacks will offer all athletes, coaches and staff access to the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine after multiple reported cases of mumps on the Fayetteville campus, the UA athletics department said on Monday. “While student-athletes may or may not have been personally exposed to those individuals with confirmed cases, their daily interaction with others on campus, including other student-athletes, poses the possibility such exposure could adversely impact their health and wellbeing,” a statement from the department said. “Razorback Athletics remains committed to maintaining the health, safety and wellbeing of all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff members.” The Arkansas Department of Health has confirmed nine cases of mumps on the UA campus this fall, and they are investigating other potential cases, according to a separate UA release. Meg Mirivel, a spokeswoman for the health department, said officials would be on the UA campus on Monday assisting ...

LETTERS Misinformation about vaccines threatens public health Hannah Gallagher Hermitage Going into the healthcare field, I feel it is my personal duty to promote the health and well-being for as many people as possible. What has been deemed one of the most significant public health achievements in history now has an untrusting, questioned effect by many parents, which has resulted in diseases coming back into circulation that were once eradicated. One of the biggest factors that cause controversy regarding vaccinations is the myth that vaccinations cause autism. One specific contributor to this movement is Andrew Wakefield and an article, published in the The Lancet British medical journal, which discusses possible links between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination and autism. Although this article is no longer available, lingering doubt is still popular among many. Wakefield’s article suggested that the MMR vaccine may predispose children to behavi...

Nov. 25, 2019 The Arkansas Department of Health has identified nine confirmed cases of the mumps on the University of Arkansas campus at Fayetteville this fall semester, with additional cases still being investigated.  Pat Walker Health Center officials are working closely with the Department of Health to stop the spread of mumps. Those who may have been exposed — or identified as having a higher-risk of contracting the virus — have received additional communication and directives directly from the health center or the Arkansas Department of Health. Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus, and is best known for the puffy cheeks and tender, swollen jaw it causes. The virus is easily spread through coughing and sneezing, as well as from sharing food, drinks and vaping devices. It may take up to 26 days for a person to get sick after they have been infected. Protect Against Mumps The best way to protect against mumps is to get the measles, mumps and rubell...

Please enable Javascript to watch this video FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KFSM) -- Nine cases of the mumps at the U of A in Fayetteville have been reported by the Arkansas Department of Health. Other possible cases are still being investigated. The mumps is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Coughing and sneezing can easily spread this disease infecting others. It can also be spread through shared drinking cups or vaping devices. There is no treatment for mumps and can cause long-term health problems. The Arkansas Department of Health is asking that all children and adults get up-to-date with their MMR vaccine as it is the best way to protect against the mumps. While some people who get the mumps may not have symptoms, the symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, swollen glands under the ears or jaw. These symptoms usually last for about 7-10 days, but it can take a person up to 26 days to get sick after they have been infected. The ADH...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Nine mumps cases reported at University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, according to health officials    KAIT https://ift.tt/2DauJnV

The College of Charleston confirmed eight new cases of the mumps this week, bringing its total number of cases to 51.  This comes after an outbreak of the virus was announced in September, when three cases of the virus were confirmed. The 51 cases include various members of the campus community, including some who are not students, a college spokesman said.  The college also announced this week it would not close because of the outbreak. President Andrew Hsu wrote a letter last week to encourage students, especially fraternity and sorority members, to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to help combat the outbreak.  The school also has hosted clinics to assist students who have not been vaccinated. The original three confirmed cases affected both vaccinated and unvaccinated students.  While the vaccine doesn't make someone completely immune to the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that two doses of the MMR vaccine reduces a ...

Many new moms have taken comfort in knowing that their measles immunity would protect their baby against the disease for at least their first six months of life, but a new study finds that this protection may only last for about three months. A Canadian study published online by the American Academy of Pediatrics measured the antibody levels of 196 babies at a Toronto hospital.  Surprisingly, not only did all of the 6-month olds have antibody levels below the protective threshold, but so did 92% of 3-month-old babies and 20% of newborns. "Prior to this research we assumed that in general, infants were immune to measles for at least the majority of the first 6 months of age," researcher  Shelly Bolotin, a scientist at Public Health Ontario and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto, told   NBC News .   The varying levels of protection seen in the study may have been because Ontario has a high measles vaccination rate, Bolotin said.  The women in ...

Ingrid Torjesen , journalist, London Ingrid_torjesen{at}hotmail.com Commentators are criticising the paper for hypocrisy, given its previous opposition to the vaccine even after the Lancet retracted the now discredited work that linked it to autism, finds Ingrid Torjesen Although once overwhelmingly opposed to the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, last month the Daily Mail launched a campaign to urge the government “to reassure parents that vaccines, particularly MMR, are safe and vital.” 1 MMR vaccination rates in the UK have slipped to their lowest levels in five years, and the incidence of measles is soaring, the Mail reported. Its 10 October front page said, “Health experts fear parents are being turned against inoculation by fake science put on social media by the ‘anti-vaxx lobby.’ Busy modern lifestyles and public complacency has also been cited for the crisis, with many adults forgetting that measles is a killer.” Inside the issue, the Mail acknowle...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Child with measles visited PDX, Randall Children's Hospital while contagious    KATU https://ift.tt/2Ovn9d5

Charleston, S.C. (WCBD) – After 43 reported cases of mumps, the College of Charleston hosts its second clinic to provide the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine to students, faculty, and staff.   The first clinic was hosted after the first three cases (which is considered an outbreak) were reported in late September.   The Department of Health and Environmental Control recommended both clinics.   The clinic is in the Stern Center Monday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Students and faculty are asked to bring their CofC ID and copy of insurance.   If a student does not have insurance the school will provide the vaccine for free.   The clinic is targeting fraternities and sororities as the groups are considered “high risk” due to close living quarters.   If you are unaware of your vaccine history, it is encouraged you get the vaccine as a third dose will do no h...

Charleston, S.C. – WCBD – After 43 reported cases of mumps, the College of Charleston hosts its second clinic to provide the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine to students, faculty, and staff.   The first clinic was hosted after the first three cases (which is considered an outbreak) were reported in late September.   The Department of Health and Environmental Control recommended both clinics.   The clinic is in the Stern Center Monday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Students and faculty are asked to bring their CofC ID and copy of insurance.   If a student does not have insurance the school will provide the vaccine for free.   The clinic is targeting fraternities and sororities as the groups are considered “high risk” due to close living quarters.   If you are unaware of your vaccine history, it is encouraged you get the vaccine as a third dose will do no h...

As if family physicians needed another reason to remind patients about the importance of measles vaccination, findings from a pair of recent studies strongly suggest that contracting measles can dramatically reduce a person's resistance to other diseases -- despite having been immunized against them. The studies, published in the Nov. 1 issue of Science (science.sciencemag.org) and the November issue of Science Immunology, (immunology.sciencemag.org) lend credence to a theory known as immune amnesia. The theory argues that measles infection impairs the body's immune system for months or even years, while vaccination against measles prevents loss of immune memory and helps maintain resistance to other infectious pathogens. "This is the best evidence yet that immune amnesia exists and impacts our bona fide long-term immune memory," said Michael Mina, M.D., Ph.D., first author of the Science study, in a news release. (hms.harvard.edu) Mina, an epidemiologist at...