MMR Vaccines Available at Rite Aid Pharmacies in Region With Measles Outbreak

Rite Aid pharmacies are providing measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations in 2 states that are seeing an increase in reported measles cases. Immunizing pharmacists can administer MMR vaccinations, without an appointment, at Rite Aid sites in Washington and Oregon.¹

A measles outbreak in Washington has led to a state of emergency designation by that state’s Department of Health. In Washington’s Clark County, near the Oregon border, 31 cases of measles have been confirmed. Those cases include 21 involving children between the ages of 1 year and 10 years. ¹

One additional case of measles was reported in Washington’s King County, which includes Seattle. ¹

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through coughing and sneezing. A fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and sore throat are symptoms of the virus, and are followed by a rash that spreads over the body.²

In Washington, children aged 3 years and older are eligible to receive an MMR vaccination without a prescription. In Oregon, patients aged 3 years and older are eligible to receive an MMR vaccination, but those aged 3 years to 6 years, must have a prescription. ¹

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A total of 349 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 26 states and the District of Columbia in 2018. According to the CDC, last year’s total was the United States’ second-greatest number of annual cases reported since the virus was eliminated in 2000. The greatest number of cases was 667, reported in 2014.³

Washington and Oregon also were among those states with confirmed cases of measles last year. Other states included New York and New Jersey, which are seeing ongoing outbreaks. ³

The CDC is encouraging people to become immunized against measles before travelling internationally. Measles is common in many parts of the world, according to the CDC, and those who have not been vaccinated is at risk of getting infected. ²

According to the CDC, the New York and New Jersey outbreaks are related to unvaccinated travelers from Israel and Ukraine. ² In these countries, large measles outbreaks are currently occurring.³

References

• Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine Available at Rite Aid Pharmacies in Washington State and Oregon [news release]. Camp Hill, Pennsylvania; January 28, 2019; Rite Aid. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190128005660/en. Accessed January 29, 2019.
• Measles (Rubeola). CDC website. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/. Updated January 28, 2019. Accessed January 29, 2019.
• Measles Cases in 2018. CDC website. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html. Updated January 10, 2019. Accessed January 29, 2019.