View The Attached Document

Addressing the recent measles outbreak, Wayne County Commissioners unanimously supported a resolution Thursday, April 4, calling on residents to have themselves and their children vaccinated to stop the spread of measles and other infectious diseases.

Presented by Commissioner Melissa Daub (D-Canton Township), the resolution affirms that vaccinations and immunizations help save lives. Commissioner Daub is a member of the Commission's Committee on Health and Human Services.

As of April 4, there were 34 confirmed cases of measles in southeast Michigan and some 387 cases confirmed nationally by the Centers for Disease Control. The local outbreak is the largest of its kind in more than 25 years. Nationally, the CDC has stated that more cases have been confirmed during the first three months of this year than in all of 2018.

Most sites linked to the local outbreak have been identified as being in the Oakland County communities of Oak Park, Southfield and Royal Oak.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can be deadly, particularly among infants and elderly individuals who have not been vaccinated. The Wayne County Health Department offers vaccinations by appointment 8-11 a.m. and 12:30-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays as well as 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays at 33030 Van Born Road, Wayne.

CDC research indicates that the MMR vaccine, which provides immunization from measles, mumps and rubella, has between a 93 and 97 percent effective rate in preventing each disease.

Since the measles outbreak has started the Wayne County Health Department activities have included:

1. For residents who are not sure if they have received a measles vaccine, looking up the measles vaccine status in the State Medical Childhood Immunization Registry (MCIR)
2. Reminding medical providers to question clients about the measles vaccine and to let clients know that the measles vaccine is available at the Wayne County Health Department for no charge.
3. Sending communication to area hospitals to aware of the measles outbreak and to contact our office if there are questions about a patient that they suspect of having measles.
4. Participating in daily State-wide conference calls on the status of the outbreak.