Vaccinate against measles
We are writing in support of Dr. Allison Unthank, Clallam County health officer, and Dr. Thomas Locke, Jefferson County health officer, for their urgent recommendations to community members to make sure that they and their children are protected against measles. (PDN, Jan. 27)
An ongoing measles outbreak has resulted in 53 confirmed cases in Clark County and one in Seattle as of Feb. 12.
Due to the infectious nature of the disease, Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency.
In 2015, Clallam County was center stage for a measles outbreak.
Because of efforts to stop the spread, one that cost responding agencies almost $250,000, only six cases were linked to the outbreak.
Sadly, our sixth case lost her life in spite of being immunized against measles because she could not mount an immune response due to an underlying illness.
Measles is a highly infectious and serious disease.
Measles vaccination is safe and effective.
But not all individuals can be vaccinated against measles, including people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborn babies.
Some, even if vaccinated, cannot fight off the infection.
We owe it to these vulnerable members of our community to protect them by getting vaccinated ourselves.
We recommend that all Clallam and Jefferson County residents check their, and their children’s, immunization records and get vaccinated, if necessary, to prevent measles from returning to the Olympic Peninsula.
We have been there before and suffered the ultimate price. Let’s not go there again.
Dr. Jeanette Stehr-Green
Interim Clallam County health officer, 2015
Iva K. Burks
former director of Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services
Port Angeles