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Protect yourself against mumps

May 17, 2016News releases
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As of May 20, there are 15 confirmed cases of mumps in Whistler and Vancouver. We are encouraging anyone who is not certain that they are completely protected against mumps to receive a vaccine as soon as possible. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is available from your public health unit, pharmacist or family doctor.

We are encouraging anyone in this area of the Vancouver Coastal region who is not certain that they are completely protected against mumps to receive a vaccine as soon as possible.

Drop-in immunization clinics in Whistler

Additional immunization clinics will be held at Whistler Public Health, on the second floor at 4380 Lorimer road (Telephone: 604.932.3202) on:

• Friday, May 20 from 1 – 4 p.m.

• Tuesday, May 24 – Friday May 27, drop-in 2 – 4 p.m.
Also, all pharmacies have vaccine: Shopper’s Drug Mart, both Rexall locations and Nester’s Pharmacy.

Drop-in immunization clinics in Squamish

You can get immunized at Squamish Public Health drop-in clinics, at 1140 Hunter Place Squamish (Telephone: 604.892.2293) on:

• Friday, May 20 from 1 – 4 p.m.
• Tuesday May 24 – Friday May 27, drop-in 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs and the Independent (former Extra Foods) Pharmacy all have vaccine available.

Drop-in immunization clinics in Pemberton

You can get immunized at Pemberton Public Health drop-in clinics, at 1403 Portage Road, Pemberton (Telephone: 604.894.6967) on:

• Friday, May 20 from 3 – 4 p.m.
Otherwise call the office to arrange an appointment.
Frontier Pharmacy has vaccine available.

Are you at risk of mumps?

To be protected against mumps, you need to have:
• Two doses of mumps containing vaccine if you were born after January 1, 1970
• One dose of vaccine if you were born between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1969
If you were born before 1957 or have had mumps infection, you are considered protected.
Mumps vaccine is usually given as MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella). Because a second dose of MMR was not added to routine vaccination schedule in BC until 1996, many adults born between 1970 and 1996 are not fully protected. If you are not sure if you have complete protection, it is safe for you to receive another dose of MMR vaccine.
Babies six months to one year, who have been in contact with someone with the mumps, should be immunized.

What is mumps?

Mumps is a viral illness causing fever and swelling of the salivary glands in the face, which are located below the jaw and ears and under the tongue. Not everyone infected with mumps will have salivary gland swelling. Complications can occur as a result of mumps infections including swelling of the testes in adult males and swelling of the ovaries in adult females, although sterility is a rare outcome. Rare complications include inflammation of the brain (meningitis) and temporary but often permanent deafness.

How is mumps spread?

Mumps is contagious and spreads easily. Mumps is spread by contact with saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat of an infected person. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus spreads through droplets in the air. You can be exposed to the virus even if you are 2 meters away from someone with mumps. You can become infected when you breathe in these droplets or touch objects contaminated with the virus. Sharing food, drinks or cigarettes, or kissing someone who has the virus can also put you at risk.

Have symptoms of mumps?

If you think you have mumps disease, please stay home from work and social events. Contact your doctor before going to the clinic to avoid infecting other patients and office staff. Notify your public health nurse as soon as possible.

More information

For more information about immunization, please see ImmunizeBC. Your family physician, nurse practitioner, public health nurse, or HealthLink BC (8-1-1) can also help if you have questions.

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