JACKSON, Wyo. — As Teton County contends with an outbreak of measles, the Teton County Health Department (TCHD) will hold a walk-in measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination clinic on Friday for kids between the ages of 6 months and 4 years old.
With five cases of the highly contagious disease confirmed over the past few weeks, TCHD Director Travis Riddell has adjusted the recommended vaccination age, shifting the age of the first dose six months earlier. Babies ages 6 months and older are encouraged to get a first dose now, rather than waiting until their first birthday. Kids who have received one dose of the MMR shot can get their second shot early (as long as it has been at least 28 days since the first dose).
“Keep in mind that depending on a child’s age and vaccine history, this dose may not be the last one they need,” TCHD noted in the clinic announcement. “An early dose before 12 months doesn’t replace the routine two-dose series, so families should follow up with their child’s healthcare provider to schedule any remaining doses. If you have questions about the MMR vaccine, please consult your pediatrician.”
Drop by TCHD headquarters at 460 E. Pearl Ave. between 1 and 4 p.m. on Friday to get vaccinated — no appointment necessary. Be sure to bring the child’s immunization records, particularly if they’ve received any vaccines outside of the state. The shot will be free for uninsured kids, and for those on Wyoming Medicaid. Otherwise TCHD will work with insurance providers.
The clinic was announced as the community grapples with the local emergency; four of the five local cases can be connected through a chain of exposures, but the fifth case has no identified links to the other infected people, meaning the milestone of “community spread” has been hit.
“Presumably this person got measles from somewhere else in this community from a source that we’re not aware of, and therefore there are cases of measles in this community that we are not aware of,” Riddell explains in a new social media video about community spread. “That raises problems because we don’t know necessarily how to advise people about exposures.”
