Remember To Check Vaccination Records

The Richland County Health Department is encouraging families to check their vaccination records during the month of May.

Outbreaks of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases are cropping up across the U.S. To be clear, there are no measles cases in Montana. However, now is a great time for families to ensure that they are up-to-date on recommended vaccines, including measles.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to severe health complications, like pneumonia, encephalitis and death. Infection is characterized by fever, rash, runny nose, cough and red, watery eyes. The infection is transmitted through airborne particles, which can remain in the air for up to two hours. To see up-to-date information on measles cases in the U.S., visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html

Measles is almost entirely vaccine-preventable through receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine. This vaccine is over 97% effective, and is required for public school attendance unless a student has filed a religious or medical exemption. The vaccine is generally received at ages 1 and 4 in accordance with the ACIP vaccine schedule. The recommended vaccine schedules can be found on the Richland County website at https://www.richland.org/immunizations.html

If you have received vaccines in Montana or North Dakota, your vaccine record is likely available through the health department. If you have received vaccines in another state, the health department can assist in retrieving those records.

To check your record or make an appointment for vaccines, call the Richland County Health Department at 406-433-2207. Regular clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment, as well as the second Wednesday of each month until 6, and the third Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.. All times are MST. The health department is located in the Community Services Building at 1201 West Holly, Suite 1, in Sidney.