Free mumps vaccination clinics set on Purdue’s campus
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – The Tippecanoe County Health Department is offering two clinics on Purdue’s campus to offer free mumps vaccinations to the university’s faculty, staff and students.
Following the confirmation of several cases of mumps in West Lafayette, clinics have been set for Tuesday, April 12 and Monday, April 18. Both clinics will take place noon-8 p.m. in Purdue’s Córdova Recreational Sports Center’s Gold and Black Gym on Court 3.
To receive a free measles, mumps and rubella vaccination, or MMR, officials said the following criteria must be met – you do not have two documented MMR vaccinations, and you were born after 1957 and never had mumps. Women who are pregnant or could soon become pregnant should not be vaccinated and see their doctor.
Craig Rich with the Tippecanoe County Health Department said the vaccines are available for Purdue students and employees.
“We’re trying to emphasize the students that haven’t had their second MMR,” Rich said. “And a lot of the faculty, they’re in a certain age that’s only had one as well. So we’re really targeting those, trying to put a stop to this outbreak.”
On Wednesday, Purdue health officials announced five confirmed or probable cases of mumps were being investigated on the West Lafayette campus. Purdue continues to work with Tippecanoe County and Indiana State Health officials in monitoring the situation.
The mumps outbreak began within the state in February, with cases being diagnosed at Indiana University-Bloomington, Butler and IUPUI.
“This is the fourth campus in Indiana that has had an outbreak,” Rich said. “So it’s important to get on top of it, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Tippecanoe County Health Officer Dr. Jeremy Adler said the virus is spread through saliva and mucus from the nose or mouth. He said noticing the symptoms early is key.
“Like many other viral infections, mumps will cause fevers, muscle aches, chills, feelings of malaise and the particular symptoms of mumps that characterizes it is the swelling of the salivary glands located just in front of the ear,” explained Adler.
For more information on mumps, click here.