OHI Wants to Remind Patients of the Importance of Measles Vaccine

LAKEWOOD, New Jersey – The Ocean County Health Department and New Jersey Department of Health have issued a warning to residents about a confirmed case of measles that was discovered in Ocean County between Oct. 13 and Oct. 21. As a Federally-Qualified Health Center with locations in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc., (OHI) is reminding its patient population and the local community of the importance of receiving the measles vaccine.

The Measles is a highly contagious virus that is spread through the air, (i.e., coughing and sneezing) and by direct contact with infectious droplets. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms of measles appear seven to 14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes. These are then followed up with white spots in the mouth and a rash that spreads downward from your head to your neck, body, arms, legs and feet.

Measles can be prevented with an MMR vaccine in both children and adults. It is recommended by the CDC that children get two doses, the first during months 12 to 15, and the second during ages 4-6. OHI Health Centers carry the MMR Vaccine and are available for administration by appointment. Teenagers and adults may also receive the vaccine if not vaccinated during childhood.

Anyone that has been exposed or is believed to have symptoms of the measles should mention this when booking an appointment with your provider. This will ensure that proper medical procedures can be taken into effect to protect other patients and the staff from risk.

For more information, contact Kyle Fannan, marketing development associate, at (732) 719-1570. To schedule an appointment, call (732) 363-6655. For more information about OHI’s services, visit www.ohinj.org.

About Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI): Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC) with seven health centers, a Mobile Medical Unit and two school-based wellness programs in Ocean and Monmouth County. OHI health centers are at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Manchester, 686 Route 70, Lakehurst; 798 Route 539. Building 3, Little Egg Harbor; 1608 Route 88, Suite 207, Brick; and 20 Jackson Street, Freehold. The school-based wellness programs in Lakewood are in the Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue; and Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Avenue, Suite A. The Lakewood, Little Egg Harbor and Manchester health centers have pharmacies.

OHI provides comprehensive primary and preventative health and dental care to Ocean and Monmouth County’s uninsured, underinsured and insured populations. A sliding-fee scale is available, based on an individual's or family's ability to pay. Services include family and internal medicine, dental, pediatrics, women’s health, behavioral health and social services, podiatry and pharmacy services.

OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call 732-363-6655. Visit www.ohinj.org for further information.