Riverview Health recently announced it will offer the measles vaccine after a spike in reported cases nationwide.
According to the Indiana State Dept. of Health, there have been 704 reported cases of measles in the United States between Jan. 1 and April 26. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the United States since 1994 and also since measles was declared eliminated in 2000. The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective against measles, as two doses of the vaccine are approximately 97 percent effective in preventing the disease.
Individuals can receive the vaccine at Riverview Health’s Outpatient Pharmacy, 395 Westfield Rd., Noblesville, without a prescription from a health-care provider.
A Riverview Health pharmacist can administer the measles vaccine to those who meet the following criteria:
- Any adults born after 1957 who may have received inactivated measles vaccine between 1963 and 1968.
- Adults who are unsure of the specific measles vaccine they received.
- Adults with an unknown vaccination status.
- Adults who are health-care personnel (not just clinical staff).
- Students at post-secondary institutions (such as colleges or vocational schools).
- International travelers.
The Riverview Health Outpatient Pharmacy is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.