OHA release – State health officials have identified three cases of measles in Oregon over the past week. Two of the cases—an adult and child from the same household in Clackamas County—are believed to have originated from exposure to measles at an unknown location in Marion County between May 19 and June 4. Neither was vaccinated against measles. A third measles case of an unvaccinated child in Marion County was identified a few days later. Measles is highly contagious and poses the highest risk to unvaccinated pregnant people, infants younger than 1 year old and people with weakened immune systems. Most people in Oregon are well protected against measles because they received the two-dose MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine as a child. The first dose is administered between ages 12-15 months, and the second dose between ages 4-6 years. Children can receive the second dose sooner as long as it’s at least 28 days after the first dose. Adults born during or after 1957 who have never had measles, or who did not received the MMR vaccine as children, should also be vaccinated with MMR: two doses at least 28 days apart for post-high school students and health care workers, and one dose for other adults. Adults born before 1957 are presumed to be immune to measles. The MMR vaccine is fully covered by all Marketplace health insurance plans and most other private commercial insurance plans at in-network locations, as well as Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) at locations that accept OHP. It is also covered by Medicare Part D at most retail pharmacies. Children ages 18 and under who are uninsured, underinsured or American Indian/Alaska Native can receive the MMR vaccine at no cost from providers that participate in the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. Eligible children (and adults) in Oregon can also receive vaccines at no cost through OHA’s Vaccine Access Program (VAP).
