Vaccine issued for Mumps

As part of a recent outbreak of someone contracting mumps at Fanshawe College, the Middlesex-London Health Unit will provide free vaccines for students.

Friday, September 26, from 10 am to 2 pm the Health Unit will be on site providing students with further knowledge and information regarding measles, mumps and rubella. Students and staff born after 1970 are highly encouraged to receive a vaccine to help a potentially harmful virus that can lead to unnecessary complications.

“Even if you are unsure about having received a vaccine in previous years, you should come in for a shot,” said Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, an Associated Medical Officer of Health at the Middlesex-London Health Unit, who was at the clinic offered at the college on Wednesday, September 24.

Cases of mumps were far more prominent before 1970 making people more immune to the virus.

Who should NOT receive the MMR vaccine:

- Anyone who feels ill with something more severe than a cold

- Anyone who is under the age of one

- Anyone who has had or believes to be allergic to the MMR vaccine

- Anyone who is allergic to gelatin or an antibiotic called neomycin

- Anyone with a not-so-good immune system

- Anyone who is or believes they are pregnant

Mumps is a virus. It can cause headaches, muscle pains and even a fever. The virus can develop into something far more serious, followed by swelling in the cheeks and or pain in the salivary glands.

Mumps can be spread seven days prior to getting the virus and nine days after infection has occurred. Mumps are spread through saliva.