Bartell Drugs urges vaccination as measles outbreak hits Washington
Bartell Drugs is urging patients to get vaccinated as a measles outbreak rattles Washington. The state's health department confirmed 39 cases of measles between King County and Clark County, noting that 34 of the 36 cases were unvaccinated individuals. Bartell's said vaccinations are the first line of defense for preventive care and that the company can provide the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine
The MMR vaccine is a 2-dose series that is 93% effective after one dose and the second dose making it approximately 97% effective at protecting against measles. Taking the initiative to get a vaccination is the best way to help contain the outbreak in the region, Bartell's said.
“Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. The best form of protection against measles is to get vaccinated. Even if you have been exposed, the vaccine can help lessen the severity and duration of the symptoms," Bartell Drugs' vice president of pharmacy, Billy Chow, said. Prevention is the best medicine — especially for those family members or friends who cannot receive the vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider today to find out more about getting vaccinated and how you can help to prevent spreading measles.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is highly contagious and 90% of those not immunized that come in close contact with an infected person will also contract measles. Measles can be contracted just by breathing the same air as an infected person or by touching a contaminated surface. Symptoms usually appear 14 days after a person is exposed and an infected person can spread measles for four days before their own symptoms appear.
Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every 2-to-3 years and measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year, Bartell said, noting that there is no specific anti-viral treatment for measles.
The MMR vaccine is a 2-dose series that is 93% effective after one dose and the second dose making it approximately 97% effective at protecting against measles. Taking the initiative to get a vaccination is the best way to help contain the outbreak in the region, Bartell's said.
“Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. The best form of protection against measles is to get vaccinated. Even if you have been exposed, the vaccine can help lessen the severity and duration of the symptoms," Bartell Drugs' vice president of pharmacy, Billy Chow, said. Prevention is the best medicine — especially for those family members or friends who cannot receive the vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider today to find out more about getting vaccinated and how you can help to prevent spreading measles.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is highly contagious and 90% of those not immunized that come in close contact with an infected person will also contract measles. Measles can be contracted just by breathing the same air as an infected person or by touching a contaminated surface. Symptoms usually appear 14 days after a person is exposed and an infected person can spread measles for four days before their own symptoms appear.
Before the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination, major epidemics occurred approximately every 2-to-3 years and measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths each year, Bartell said, noting that there is no specific anti-viral treatment for measles.