The Allegheny County Health Department will operate a free measles vaccine clinic on Wednesday, May 8 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Homewood-Brushton YMCA at 7140 Bennett Street in Homewood.
The clinic comes after five cases of measles were confirmed in the last couple of weeks.
Vaccinations will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Babies less than 12 months old and people born before 1957 are not eligible for the free vaccine clinic. Also ineligible are pregnant women, people who are immunocompromised and people who have had measles before.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children be vaccinated between 12-18 months and 4-6 years of age. The vaccine is also recommended for healthcare personnel, college students and international travelers, including infants age 6-12 months who will travel internationally.
Adults born before 1957 are considered immune. Adults born in or after 1957 should have received at least one dose of the vaccine, unless they have a documented history of the disease.
One dose of the vaccination is considered 93 percent effective; two doses are 97 percent effective.
People can also get vaccinated by their primary care physicians or at the health department’s downtown clinic at 425 First Avenue, fourth floor.
