Measles outbreak raises demand for vaccines, even among the most hesitant

SEATTLE – The demand for measles vaccine has increased in Washington County, where the highly contagious virus is badociated with more than 50 confirmed diseases this year, including among those who had previously avoided vaccines.

Orders for two types of measles vaccines in Clark County increased by almost 500% in January compared to the same month last year, from 530 doses to 3,150, according to department figures. of state health.

RELATED: 55 cases of measles in the epidemic of the Pacific Northwest, 11 other suspected

Health clinics in the region are striving to meet the sudden demand, mainly among parents of children who have not been vaccinated.

"During an outbreak, we see an influx of patients who would otherwise be reluctant with respect to a vaccine," said Virginia Ramos, infection prevention nurse at Sea Mar Community Health Center, which runs six sites offering vaccines in Clark County.

"We are just happy that we are prepared and that the vaccine is available."

The Vancouver Clinic, which operates medical offices and emergency treatment centers in the region, reported that the number of injections administered increased from 263 in January 2018 to 1,444 last month, an increase of nearly 450%.

This is a big increase in a country where vaccination rates are lagging behind – only 76.5% of kindergarten children receiving all the required vaccinations for the 2017-2018 school year. Health officials have long been worried about the risk of an epidemic in the region

In Washington, measles vaccine orders rose about 30% in January from the same month last year, going from 12,140 doses to 15,780 doses, according to the numbers. Vaccines include the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, and the MMRV vaccine, which also protects against Varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. The vaccine comes into effect within 72 hours, health officials said.

RELATED: CHECK: Can children in Washington receive vaccines without their parents' consent?

The orders represent only vaccines provided by the state and requested under the federal Vaccines for Children program, which provides free vaccinations to children who otherwise would not be able to afford them.

But it's a snapshot of the dread that an outbreak can cause, said Dr. Alan Melnick, the Clark County Health Officer who oversaw the response.

"I would prefer not to have an epidemic for this to happen," he said.

Since January 1, 50 cases of measles have been confirmed in Clark County, and 11 more cases are suspected, officials said. The outbreak in the Pacific Northwest includes a confirmed case in King County, where Seattle is located, and four in Multnomah County, which includes Portland, Ore.

On Wednesday, officials sent letters to families of 5,000 children in Multnomah County telling them that they would be excluded from school if they did not have up-to-date immunizations or valid exemptions by February 20 .

Most infections occurred in unvaccinated children under 18 years of age. The epidemic includes 43 cases among those who have not been immunized, six cases where vaccination has not been verified and one case where the person had received a single dose of vaccine.

RELATED: The mother expresses her concerns about the measles epidemic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend two doses of measles vaccine, one given between 12 and 15 months and the other between 4 and 6 years old. dose and 97 percent with two doses.

Northwestern cases are among the three ongoing measles outbreaks in the United States that made 79 people sick in January, according to the CDC. Last year, 372 cases of measles were confirmed nationwide, the highest number since hatching in 2014 that sickened 667 people.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington and Oregon are among the 17 states that allow non-medical exemptions from vaccination requirements for entry to school.

Washington State Representative Paul Harris (R-Vancouver), introduced a measure that would remove exemptions from personal beliefs about the MMR vaccine.

Research has confirmed that vaccines do not cause autism, a reason often cited by parents who refuse vaccines. Others oppose the timing and combinations of vaccines and the requirement to inoculate their children.

Kaiser Health News (KHN) is a national health policy information service. It is an independent editorial program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Its coverage of end-of-life and critical illness issues is supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

[Update: This story was updated at 6 p.m. ET on Feb. 6 to report the latest health department figures.]