PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County jail has vaccinated inmates against measles.
Inmates were screened after a man in his 50s was hospitalized for measles at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles on Feb. 1.
“It was determined that approximately 63 percent of the jail population was at potential risk of the measles virus,” jail officials reported in a news release.
On Saturday, 63 inmates and three staff members were voluntarily immunized with the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the release said.
“This quick reaction to the emerging and threatening situation was made possible through the efforts of the jail medical staff that included Drs. Peter Erickson and Art Tordini and nurses Julia Keegan, Candace Priest and Dean Boggs,” Sheriff Bill Benedict said.
“Corrections Sgt. Luke Brown and Corrections Deputy Howard Blair provided administrative assistance and security for the vaccinations,” Benedict added.
Follow-up screening will be conducted as new prisoners arrive, and the MMR vaccination will be offered on an as-needed basis.
Free clinic for others
Meanwhile, Clallam County Health and Human Services is offering a free clinic MMR vaccination for children and adults from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at 111 E. Third St., Suite 1-A, Port Angeles.
The clinics are for those who do not have evidence of immunity to measles.
Call 360-417-2274 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be seen, but there may be a wait.
Measles is highly contagious. It spreads through the air, and more than 90 percent of those susceptible will become infected if exposed.
Those born in 1957 or later should have at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, officials said.
Children, adolescents and some people with occupational or travel exposure risk should have at least two doses of the MMR vaccine.
A blood test can determine if a person is immune to measles.