Response to free measles vaccinations in SC called ‘disappointing’ by officials amid outbreak

Seven people have taken advantage of the state’s free measles vaccinations in Spartanburg County, a number a Department of Health epidemiologist called disappointing.

The Upstate county has been the center of a measles outbreak for the past seven months. Two schools specifically have been identified as having cases, including one, Global Academy, where only 17% of students have had the MMR vaccine.

In all, 23 people in South Carolina have contracted measles this year. Three cases represent an outbreak.

Dr. Linda Bell, the state epidemiologist, said Wednesday the department is looking into expanding or changing the hours the mobile clinics operate and asking local officials how they can increase the number of vaccinations.

Health officials say 95% of people need to be vaccinated for there to be herd immunity, which protects people who cannot be vaccinated such as pregnant women and those who are allergic.

South Carolina’s vaccination rate has fallen to 90%.

Bell has said 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will develop the disease, which is characterized initially by high fever, cough and runny nose before a red rash on the face occurs, usually within four days. The rash then spreads to the rest of the body.

Various other states have seen similar outbreaks, the Centers for Disease Control reported.