WOONSOCKET, R.I., June 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As Arizona
public health officials work to stop the spread of a measles
outbreak, CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) is offering measles-mumps-rubella
(MMR) vaccine to people living in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, the areas exposed to confirmed
cases of the illness. Both CVS Pharmacy stores and MinuteClinic
walk-in medical clinics in the area have vaccines available to
protect patients against measles.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the
air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The most common
symptoms of measles include fever (101 F or higher), cough, runny
nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that is red, raised
and blotchy. Symptoms can appear seven to 12 days after exposure
but may take up to 21 days. An infected person can spread measles
to others even before knowing he/she has the disease—from four days
before developing the measles rash through four days afterward.
Vaccination is the most effective way to protect people from
measles and CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic is offering the MMR
vaccine at more than 140 locations in Maricopa and Pinal Counties.1 The MMR vaccine
may be effective if given within the first three days (72 hours)
after exposure to measles. It is important for anyone who has not
been vaccinated to receive the MMR vaccine to ensure protection
from future measles exposure.
"Immunizations are an important part of preventive care and a
critical way to prevent the spread of serious diseases, like
measles," said Dr. Andrew Sussman,
Executive Vice President and Associate Chief Medical Officer of CVS
Health, and President of MinuteClinic. "Our CVS pharmacists and
MinuteClinic nurse practitioners are ready to provide measles
vaccinations to people living in Maricopa and Pinal Counties, and can help ensure that
patients stay up to date on vaccinations in the future."
Patients ages nine and older can receive the MMR vaccine at CVS
Pharmacy locations. At MinuteClinic, nurse practitioners provide
the recommended second vaccination to children 4-6 years old. The
first dose, usually given at 12 months, is not available at CVS
Pharmacy or MinuteClinic. People are considered immune to measles
if they have received two MMR vaccines or were born before 1957 and
have received one MMR vaccine. Pharmacy and medical clinic staff
can assist patients in determining whether the vaccine is covered
by their insurance plan.
Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000
thanks to a highly effective vaccination program. Eliminated means
that the disease is no longer constantly present in this country.
However, measles is still common in many parts of the world,
including some countries in Europe, Asia,
the Pacific, and Africa.
Worldwide, an estimated 20 million people get measles and 146,000
people, mostly children, die from the disease each year. Every
year, measles is brought into the United
States by unvaccinated travelers (Americans or foreign
visitors) who get measles while they are in other countries. Anyone
who is not protected against measles is at risk.
About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation
company helping people on their path to better health. Through its
more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical
clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million
plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving
more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty
pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and
communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways.
This unique integrated model increases access to quality care,
delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care
costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the
future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.
Contacts
CVS Health
Amy Lanctot
(401) 770-2931
Amy.Lanctot@CVSHealth.com
TBC (for MinuteClinic)
Brent Burkhardt
(410) 986-1303
BBurkhardt@tbc.us
1 Vaccines are available when an immunizing
pharmacist or MinuteClinic nurse practitioner is on duty, while
supplies last.
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SOURCE CVS Health