Calgary measles vaccination clinics close

CALGARY – Thursday is your last chance to get a measles shot at one of the province’s special vaccination clinics.

Alberta Health Services launched a series of vaccination clinics in late April after confirming several cases of the disease.

Just a few days later, officials declared a measles outbreak in the province and added additional clinic dates.

The final clinic – located on the 3rd floor of 31 Sunpark Plaza S.E. — will be open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.

It will offer the vaccine to:

• Infants six months of age to less than 12 months of age;
• Children 12 months of age or older who have not yet received their first dose of measles vaccine;
• Children four years of age and older who have not yet received their second dose of measles vaccine;
• Individuals born in or after 1970 who have not received two doses of measles vaccine.

From April 30 through until the end of May 10, officials say more than 11,500 Calgary-Zone residents were immunized against measles, including 90 per cent of the six-month to 11-month-old population.

What is Measles?

Measles is caused by a virus that is spread easily through the air. It’s very contagious, and anyone who has not had the disease in the past or has not been vaccinated is in danger of becoming infected.

Typically, the disease will develop about 10 days after exposed, and tends to be most severe in infants and adults than in children.

Symptoms of Measles:

Fever of 38.3° C or higher, cough, runny nose and/or red eyes, and a red blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down to the body and then to the arms and legs.

How do I know if I was immunized?

Albertans uncertain of their immunization history, or their child’s immunization history, can call their local public health office or Health Link Alberta (1.866.408.5465) to discuss.