Two More Measles Cases Reported In Pittsburgh Area

PITTSBURGH, PA – Two additional measles cases have been confirmed in Allegheny County, the county health department announced Wednesday, bringing the total number of reported cases in the county up to seven. The new cases are from the same family that had previously been identified as having measles.

The family has been quarantined to prevent any additional public exposure, the health department said in a release. Six of the seven measles cases are from that family.

Because of inncreased interest and concern over measles, the health department will begin offering a limited supply of free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines at its immunization clinic starting today. The vaccines are for people the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies as targeted individuals, who are at higher risk of contracting measles: children from 12 months of age to adults 61 years of age who have not been vaccinated.

There is no risk in getting an additional dose of the MMR vaccine for individuals who may have already received it.

Those not eligible for the free MMR vaccine include children under the age of 12 months of age, those born before 1957 (who have a natural immunity), anyone who has had measles, pregnant women, or those who are otherwise immunocompromised.

The walk-in immunization clinic is located at 425 First Avenue, fourth floor, Downtown. The entrance is on Cherry Way. Clinic hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.