BRANCH COUNTY — A fourth measles case was suspected in Michigan, this time in Jackson County, and the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is making a proactive effort to ensure everyone is vaccinated to prevent the spread of the infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Medical Association sent out separate but similar pleas on Monday. Nationally, of the 58 cases, 54 are linked to international travel by unvaccinated U.S. residents.
"This is a concern for those who travel during spring break this week," said health agency spokesperson Kris Dewy Dewey.
This applies to people traveling outside the country and those interacting with international travelers while on vacation.
Dewey emphasized, "If you are unsure about vaccination, you can check your record, or your child's vaccine record, by contacting your local health department office, or checking online at https://mcir.org ."
Most recent state records show that only 73% of Branch County children between 19 months and 36 months old have the necessary first measles vaccination, which is well below the 93% national average.
For those aged 13 to 18 years old who should have the two doses of the vaccine, only 87% of Branch County residents are vaccinated, the health agency reported.
Dr. Karen Luparello, heath agency medical director, said, "Measles is so contagious that 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to measles will become infected. Infected people can be contagious up to four days before the rash appears, which increases the possibility of exposing others without knowing."
People have 72 hours from exposure to receive the vaccine to prevent illness. Most don't know until they get the rash, and then Dewey said it's too late for the vaccine.
Heidi Hazel, director of personal health and disease prevention, told the agency board last Thursday that the health agency is working with local employers and staff with refugee work permits to ensure that all meet the requirement of full vaccinations within 90 days of arrival in the U.S.
Dewey said there is an outreach program to vaccinate those workers' families.
Dewey said there is no indication of any dangers from the vaccine since the measles vaccination program in the United States started in 1963. "Immunization is the best way to protect residents from the harmful consequences of measles," she said.
"Children and adults can get vaccinations at any of our offices, their primary care provider, or many local pharmacies," Dewey said.
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency offers vaccines to qualifying families with children age 18 or younger through the Vaccines for Children program.
The Adult Vaccine Program offers certain vaccines to eligible adults aged 19 and up.
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These programs are for individuals who are not insured or whose insurance does not cover immunizations.
To schedule an appointment or for immunization questions, call the Branch County Office, (517) 279-9561 ext. 100.
Dewey said new information on measles is on the agency website at https://bhsj.org.
-- Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Health agency urges residents to check measles vaccination status
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