More Measles Cases Identified In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Health officials in Philadelphia have identified new cases of measles in the city and have expanded the list of potential locations and dates where measles exposures may have occurred.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health reported two new confirmed cases of measles Monday.

This brings the total number of measles cases confirmed by city health officials to eight. Seven of those cases are in Philadelphia and one is not, officials said.

While 93 percent of Philadelphia children are vaccinated against measles, it remains a dangerous virus, according to officials.

Anyone who is not vaccinated against measles is strongly encouraged to seek vaccinations.

With these new cases, the health department expanded the number of potential exposure locations, and dates, to account for what has been learned during the ongoing case investigation and contact tracing.

Potential exposure locations and dates are:

• Jefferson Health, 33 S. 9th St./ 833 Chestnut St. — Dec. 19
• Multicultural Education Station Day Care, 6919 Castor Ave. — Dec. 20 to Dec. 21
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd. — Dec. 28 and Jan. 1
• Nemours Hospital — Dec. 29
• St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Emergency Department, 160 E. Erie Ave. — Dec. 30 to Dec. 31, overnight to mid-afternoon
• St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Inpatient Unit 5 North, 160 E. Erie Ave. — Dec. 31 through Jan. 3
• Nazareth Hospital, Emergency Department, 2601 Holme Ave. — Dec. 31 and Jan. 2
• Holy Redeemer Pediatric Urgent Care Meadowbrook, 1648 Huntingdon Pike, Meadowbrook— Jan. 3, between 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Jefferson Abington Hospital Emergency Department, 1200 Old York Road, Abington — Jan. 3, 7:15 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

The health department offers the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine for free at City Health Centers. Any child in Philadelphia can get vaccinated at any City health center. Contact the health department's call center at 215-685-2933 to make an appointment.

Walk-in MMR vaccines are available for anyone at three City health centers for a limited time. All Philadelphia residents are eligible for these vaccines.

Visit these three locations Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.:

• Health Center 3, 555 S. 43rd St.
• Health Center 4, 4400 Haverford Ave.
• Health Center 5, 1900 N. 20th. St.

Appointments are not needed during these walk-in hours, and there is no copay or fee for the vaccine. Identification is not needed. A piece of mail with your address is sufficient information to receive the vaccine.