With the US measles outbreak now reaching the Miami area, the Cayman Islands Public Health Department says it is ramping up vaccination efforts on island.
In a statement issued Friday afternoon, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Gent said, “The identification of a measles case in Miami highlights the importance of ensuring our population is protected against this highly contagious disease. Vaccination is the best defense against measles, and we encourage all parents to check their children’s immunisation status.”
Florida recorded this year’s first case of measles in a student at Palmetto Senior High School in Miami-Dade County earlier this week, according to US media reports.
Extra vaccination clinics
Earlier this month, Cayman’s Public Health Department announced it would be holding a special measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccination clinic on Saturday, 8 March, from 9am to 1pm, at the Smith Road Medial Centre. That vaccination clinic is now being extended to include George Town Public Health Clinic (2nd Floor, Smith Road Medical Centre), West Bay Health Centre and Bodden Town Health Centre.
Also, in Cayman Brac at the Aston Rutty Medical Wing, a special walk-in MMR vaccination clinic will be held on Wednesday, 12 March from 9am to 2pm.
Health officials said these clinics are open to all individuals needing to update their vaccinations, with a focus on young children and school-age children.
Children ages 1 to 17 and young adults between 18 and 23 are most at risk of catching measles because of mixing with others in educational settings.
Common symptoms of the disease are rashes after a fever, coughing, respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, known as pink eye, and a sore throat.
Outbreak reported in 12 US states
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 6 March, 222 measles cases had been reported in 12 states — Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.
Of the 222 cases in the US, the vast majority — more than 90% — involve unvaccinated children, CDC statistics show.
So far this year, there has been one confirmed measles-related death in the US, and a second death is under investigation, according to the CDC.
Vaccinating 1-year-olds
Cayman’s Public Health Department noted that the MMR vaccine is usually administered in two doses at 15 months and 18 months.
Prior to the recent outbreak in the US, Cayman’s Ministry of Health and the Public Health Department had been in the process of revising the national immunisation schedule to administer the first dose of MMR at 12 months instead of 15 months, the department stated. That change was planned for implementation in the coming months.
“We are encouraging parents of 1-year-olds to take advantage of the upcoming vaccination clinics this Saturday,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez.
“This proactive approach will help ensure that young children receive the protection they need earlier, reducing their risk of exposure.”
Parents and guardians are reminded to bring their child’s immunisation record for review. If a child is missing a dose of the MMR vaccine, it will be administered on-site at no cost to patients, regardless of their insurance provider, the health department stated.
For more information on measles, vaccination schedules or to check your immunisation status, contact the Public Health Department at 244-2648, at 244-2889 or visit www.hsa.ky.
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