EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso Department of Public Health, with the El Paso Fire Department, will be hosting a free drive-thru measles vaccine event at the El Paso Zoo.
The event will be from 2 to 7 p.m. on Monday, May 19, at the El Paso Zoo, located at 4001 E. Paisano. The vaccine drive-thru is in partnership with the El Paso Fire Department.
According to the news release by the City of El Paso, the event is free and open to all community members who need a measles vaccine; no appointment or insurance is needed.
“We need the community to ensure they are up-to-date with their measles or MMR vaccine,” said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, City-County Health Authority. “Vaccinating ourselves and our children not only protects our families but also helps prevent the spread of the disease within our community.”
According to the City, measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread rapidly, particularly among unvaccinated individuals. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area.
Common symptoms of measles include the following:
- Fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes.
- Rash that begins on the face and spreads downward.
- Infected individuals are contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears (Day 0 is the day the rash begins).
In addition, those at increased risk of contracting measles include:
- Unvaccinated individuals.
- Recent travelers to areas with ongoing measles outbreaks.
- Immunocompromised individuals, including pregnant women, people with HIV and those undergoing chemotherapy or other immunosuppressive treatments.
“The measles vaccine is highly effective, with two doses providing approximately 97 percent protection. Although rare, vaccinated individuals may still contract the virus, but they are far less likely to experience severe symptoms or transmit it to others,” the City said in a news release.
Those who want to participate in the event should bring their shot record, if available, according to the City.
According to the City, adults under 68 years old or under who do not have a record of receiving the vaccine are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.
Pregnant women and individuals with compromised immune systems should not receive the vaccine, the City said.
For more information on measles symptoms, vaccination and potential exposure can contact the City of El Paso’s Mealses Hotline at (915) 212-HELP (4357), call 211 or visit the City’s website under the Vaccination and Immunization tab.
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