Temple Giving Free Mumps Vaccines As Outbreak Continues

PHILADELPHIA — As the number of mumps cases tied to Temple University grows and spreads to suburban communities, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and Temple University will offer free measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines to all Temple students, faculty, and staff.

With the Health Department confirming 16 cases and consider another 70 as probable cases, the vaccines will be offered form 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, and Friday, March 29.

MMR vaccine will be available through the vaccine clinics free of charge to staff and students with a current Temple University OWLCard in the Great Court at Mitten Hall on Temple University’s Main Campus located at 1913 North Broad St. in Philadelphia.

The outbreak has even prompted a petition calling for the university to close temporarily until officials can adequately address the outbreak.

So far, more than 10,700 people have signed the petition.

Mumps have been confirmed in a West Chester University student who visited Temple and now officials are investigating a potential mumps case at a Montgomery County high school.

Mumps is a viral infection that causes parotitis, or swollen cheeks or jaw. Sometimes mumps can also cause fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite or testicular pain and swelling. Mumps is contagious and spreads person-to-person through close, personal contact with the respiratory secretions or saliva of an infected person. Kissing, sharing drinks or eating utensils, and close physical contact are some of the ways that the infection can be spread.

Mumps vaccine, given as MMR vaccine, is the best way to prevent infection. The two-dose series is usually given at one and four years of age, but immunity may wane over time. A third dose, or booster, of MMR vaccine can be given during mumps outbreaks to boost immunity and prevent continued transmission of disease.

The following groups are most at-risk for mumps and should attend the scheduled vaccine clinics to receive a booster MMR dose:

• Roommates, boyfriends, girlfriends, and other close friends of people who have had mumps.
• Students living in dorms or other congregate living settings where there is close interaction with other students.
• Students from the same social group, fraternity, sorority, sports team, or study group as someone who has had mumps.
• Students who attend campus parties or social events with other students.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made thousands of doses of MMR vaccine available to Temple University through the Health Department’s Immunization Program.

Students who have recently received a third, or booster, dose of MMR or who have been ill with mumps do not need to be re-vaccinated. People who should not receive MMR vaccine include:

• Any person who has had a serious allergic reaction after a dose of MMR vaccine previously.
• Any woman who is pregnant, or thinks she might be pregnant.
• Any person with a weakened immune system due to disease or medical condition.

A person who is infected with mumps can be contagious from two days before symptoms start until five days after they start. During the contagious period, the Health Department recommends that all students who suspect they are infected with mumps do the following things:

• Call your medical provider or Student Health Services immediately if you think you have mumps.
• Isolate yourself in a private room for five days.
• Do not allow visitors.
• Arrange for food delivery to avoid spending time in common areas.
• Wash your hands with soap and water often.
• Do not share food, drinks, utensils or cell phones.
• Do not share computers or tablets.
• Do not go to classes, school, work or social events.