SOUTH SHORE YMCA

SOUTH SHORE YMCA WORKS TO INFORM AND PROTECT COMMUNITY AFTER MEASLES CASE REPORTED IN QUINCY

Posted: May. 25, 2019

QUINCY, MA, MAY 25, 2019: The Quincy Health Department has notified the South Shore YMCA that an infant with measles visited the Quincy YMCA on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 from approximately 2pm-4pm. The YMCA is working side-by-side with the Quincy Health Department and Massachusetts Department of Health to ensure every precaution for the safety and health of our community.

Due to the contagious nature of the measles virus, the Quincy Health Department and Massachusetts Department of Health recommend that anyone who was present in the Quincy YMCA lobby on Wednesday May 22, 2019 between the hours of 2pm-6pm, should contact their doctor immediately if they are concerned about exposure or should develop symptoms such as fever (101°F or more), cough, runny nose or red eyes, with or without rash.

The city of Quincy is giving free vaccines at the health department at 440 East Squantum St. on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for those who need the vaccine or aren’t sure if they were fully vaccinated.

For questions or concerns, information on vaccination and more, contact the Quincy Public Health Commissioner, Ruth Jones, MSPH, BSN, RN, BC, CP-FS, at rjones@quincyma.gov or 617-376-1272.

According to Quincy Health Commissioner Ruth Jones

  • The most at-risk population are children younger than age 1.
  • Children under the age 1 who may have been exposed to the location on May 22 should stay out of public for three weeks per state protocol.
  • Children who might have been at the location at the same time as the infected baby should stay away from the public.
  • Children typically get their fist measles vaccine when they are 12 to 15 months old. Children older than 1 who may have gotten their first round of measles vaccine should get the second round of the vaccine within 72 hours in order to return to public, otherwise the three-week rule applies to them as well.
  • Children who have had only 1 dose of MMR who may have been exposed on 5/22/2019 should remain out of the public for three weeks per state protocol
  • Those who have been fully vaccinated should be in the clear.
  • Adults born in the US before 1957 are considered immune.
  • Adults born after 1957 and do not have two doses of MMR should receive a second dose ASAP.
  • Pregnant women should contact their OB/GYN with concerns,
  • Parents of infants should contact their pediatrician or Boston Children’s Hospital, with questions or concerns.

The South Shore YMCA emphasizes to members and to the community that it is now safe to visit the Quincy YMCA without concern. Exposure was limited to the lobby area of the Quincy YMCA on May 22, 2019 between 2pm and 6pm.

For questions or concerns, information on vaccination and more, contact the Quincy Public Health Commissioner, Ruth Jones, MSPH, BSN, RN, BC, CP-FS, at rjones@quincyma.gov or 617-376-1272.

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Media Contact: Lauren Dell’Olio, Vice President of Communications, South Shore YMCA, ldellolio@ssymca.org