Last month, Travis County confirmed its first reported case of measles since 2019, in an unvaccinated baby “who was exposed to the virus during a vacation overseas.” Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority, announced that “measles has arrived in our community” and urged residents to “make sure they’re protected against this vaccine-preventable disease.” The safest and most effective way to protect yourself from measles is by getting the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. Measles is more than just an itchy rash, Walkes said, and it “can put you in the hospital and can even lead to death, as we’ve seen already in Texas.” Measles is so contagious that a single infected person can pass the disease on to nine or 10 people nearby, if they are not protected. Fortunately, Austin Public Health holds free vaccine clinics throughout Travis County, all year long. No insurance is required and noncitizens are welcome. Find dates, locations and times of the clinics here.
Austin Public Health highlights its free MMR vaccine clinics
