Montgomery County will offer free measles vaccine clinics in October as Pennsylvania's outbreak has killed two infants and reached 676 confirmed cases statewide.
The community clinics will provide measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines at no cost for anyone who lives, works or attends school in the county. Locations include St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Glenside on Oct. 3, the Upper Merion Township Building in King of Prussia on Oct. 19 and Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell on Oct. 24.
The clinics come as neighboring Chester County was designated a community-transmission county, with cases jumping from 41 on Aug. 25 to 65 by Saturday, Sept. 12, according to 6abc. The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 676 confirmed measles cases and 124 hospitalizations across 37 counties as of that date. Thirty percent of cases involve people younger than 18.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen said Saturday, Sept. 12, in remarks reported by 6abc on Chester County's rising case count, that the state tracks the data "not to cause alarm, but to provide clarity."
Coroner confirms infant deaths
Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni confirmed Thursday, Sept. 10, that two infants died of measles-related causes in August, the Associated Press reported via Main Line Media News. Neither child was old enough for the MMR vaccine, which is first given at about 1 year of age. Diamantoni released the details in response to a state right-to-know request by WPMT-TV, Fox 43.
Mary Stoltzfus, 6 weeks old, died Aug. 18 at her home from a measles infection. She had been born with Amish lethal microcephaly, a condition that causes an underdeveloped brain. Ivan Miller died Aug. 14 shortly after birth from a ruptured spleen. Measles is listed on his death certificate as a contributing factor, though Diamantoni said the virus did not contribute to what happened to the spleen. The spleen rupture remains under investigation.
Diamantoni said he shared his conclusions with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency has not said whether it will count either death as measles-associated. Its measles webpage, last updated Sept. 5, states the CDC "will update its reporting as additional information becomes available and relevant reviews are completed."
Local vaccination rates have slipped
Lower Merion Township's Health Advisory Council issued a measles advisory July 27 noting that Montgomery County had reported three confirmed cases. The Montgomery County Office of Public Health said as of its Sept. 4 update that no current county cases were associated with the statewide outbreak. Residents can check that page for the latest status.
MMR vaccination rates in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties have each dropped about 1 percentage point since 2020, falling just below the 95 percent threshold needed for strong community protection, according to state immunization records cited in an August report. The township advisory noted that high vaccination coverage protects infants too young for the vaccine and people who cannot safely receive it, including some who are pregnant or immunocompromised.
How to get vaccinated
Uninsured or underinsured Montgomery County residents can call county health clinics in Norristown (610-278-5145) or Pottstown (610-970-5040) for a free MMR vaccine outside the October clinic dates.
Anyone who suspects measles should call a health provider or the Montgomery County Office of Public Health at 610-278-5117 before leaving home to reduce exposure risk for staff and other patients.
