The Middlesex-London Health Unit will be offering a free booster clinic for the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine on Jan. 29 and 30 at the UCC.
The booster clinic will be held in the UCC on Jan. 29 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Jan. 30 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Students and staff are eligible for the free vaccination by supplying appropriate identification– a drivers’ license or utility bill are commonly accepted.
Responding to outbreaks of the mumps throughout Canadian post-secondary institutions, the Ontario government has initiated an Ontario-wide campaign for prevention of further spread. The primary target of the clinic is the 18-25 age group.
Although measles and rubella are included in the vaccination, the main focus is to isolate the mumps virus from infecting Ontario residents.
In recent years there have been mumps outbreaks in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta, infecting more than 800 people since 2007. Of those infected the majority were between the ages of 17 and 37.
“The Ontario government has recognized this age group is at risk,” said Tracey Gordon, Acting Manager of Vaccine Preventable Diseases for the health unit.
Symptoms of the mumps include fever, headaches, muscle aches and fatigue…swelling and pain in one or more salivary glands (usually at the sides of the cheeks, near the angle of the jaw).
Although most individuals recover in a relatively short time, long-term infections of mumps can lead to serious complications. They include brain infections, meningitis, increased risk of miscarriage, and testicular infections.
“If you have already received two MMR vaccinations in your lifetime this is not required. However, it is strongly recommended if individuals have only had one vaccine in the past,” said Gordon. “The virus spreads quite easily in its early stages, usually isolation for up to nine days is required.”
For addition information please visit www.healthunit.com
The writer is a Western News intern and student in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies.