The Lancaster County Health Director says the vaccinated adult who contracted measles is raising concerns about local exposure. Kerry Kernen says that person told them they left their house twice in ten days before being diagnosed.
She says people may have been exposed at the two locations where the that person visited, at the Walmart on North 27th Street on January 18 between 1:00 and 3:30 and Med Elite Urgent Care near 69th and Pine Lake Road on January 25 from 1:30-5 p.m.
Kernen says says the vaccine is highly effective, but no vaccine offers 100 percent protection. “You get about 93 percent protection with that first vaccine and you get about 97 percent protection with the second vaccine,” Kernen says. “So, there’s about three percent of the population that’s just not going to build up that immunity to it.”
She says that’s why herd immunity is critical. “So, if we can get about 95 percent of the population vaccinated that protects those that either are not getting vaccinated or do not build up that immune response.”
Kernen encourages people to check their status. If they’re not sure if they have been vaccinated, they can talk to their healthcare provider or check with their pharmacist. Symptoms include fever, sneezing , cough and a rash, which Kernen says typically appears several days after initial symptoms begin.
“That’s why we’re asking people to monitor closely. Anyone who believes they may have been exposed should contact their healthcare provider before seeking in-person care.” Anyone who is unvaccinated and were in the two locations as this person may have been exposed to measles and are asked to fill out the risk assessment survey.
You can find a link to it and more information by clicking here.