Pa. measles cases prompt CVS to push vaccine statewide

Following the confirmation of at least five measles cases in Pennsylvania, CVS Health reminded patients of its services that offer the measles vaccine to unvaccinated commonwealth residents.

Pennsylvania’s first measles case of the year was reported in Montgomery County outside of Philadelphia on March 2, and the second was reported by the state health department in Philadelphia as of March 13. Both were infected while traveling internationally.

Three more cases have been reported in Erie.

A total of 483 confirmed measles cases have been reported in the following states: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

The last reported measles case in Allegheny County was in 2019, as of March 7, according to the county’s website.

Both CVS Pharmacy stores and MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics are advertising their measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccines that are available to help protect patients against the illness, the Monday announcement said — at more than 500 locations across Pennsylvania.

Those who were born before 1957 or who have received two MMR vaccines are considered immune, CVS said.

Patients 18 and older can receive the MMR vaccine at CVS Pharmacy. Though walk-ins are accepted at CVS Pharmacy, patients are encouraged to schedule an appointment ahead of time to receive their vaccination via CVS.com or the CVS Health app.

And at Minute Clinic, children 4 to 6 years old can receive the recommended second vaccination. Appointments can be scheduled at MinuteClinic through MinuteClinic.com or via the CVS Health app.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended by doctors, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The first dose, which is recommended to be given between 12 and 15 months old, cannot be administered at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic, the announcement said.

CVS said staff members can assist patients in determining whether the vaccine is covered by their insurance plan.

Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to protect from measles, CVS said, and the MMR vaccine can provide some protection if given within the first three days — or 72 hours — after measles exposure.

Someone who is infected can spread measles to others before they know they have the disease, including up to four days before developing the rash through four days afterward. Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC.

“Measles is highly contagious,” CVS said. “If one person has it, up to nine out of 10 people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.”

The most common symptoms include: Fever (could spike to more than 104), cough, runny nose, red, watery eyes and a rash that is red and blotchy

They can appear seven to 14 days after exposure but may take up to 21 days, the CDC said.

Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea, and serious complications can include pneumonia and encephalitis, according to the CDC.