Are Your Immunizations Up To Date?

People who were potentially exposed to measles in the Saint John area are being urged to check their immunization status.

But what if you do not have your records or a health-care provider who can look up the information?

Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health for New Brunswick, said there is another option.

“There is a dedicated line Public Health has set up so people can call in and find out if they have access to the records that way,” said Russell.

The phone number is (506) 643-6251. Russell did not have information about how many people have called the dedicated line to date.

Two measles cases have been confirmed in the past month but Russell said the general public is “not really at risk” at this time.

She said they are most concerned about the people who came into direct contact with the two infected individuals.

If you think you have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms of measles you should NOT go directly to the ER. Stay home and contact your health care provider or 811 prior to presenting to a clinic, physician’s office or emergency room. https://t.co/QHpeyngE0G pic.twitter.com/AnxUYbTZ7i

— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) May 16, 2019

It is not clear how many people could have been exposed but Russell said it could be “several hundred” or potentially more.

“All of our focus and energy is really around making sure they have been vaccinated and make sure they are aware to watch for symptoms,” she said.

She said officials have reached out to known contacts and made the public aware about other locations they may have been exposed, including:

• The Shadow Lawn Inn in Rothesay during lunch on May 6.
• The John Cleese show at Harbour Station on May 7 — people sitting in section 26, rows 14 to 20 and section 27, rows 14 to 24.

Russell said an immunization clinic is being planned next week for those who may have been exposed during the John Cleese show, but details have not yet been finalized.

She said adults born before 1970 are considered immune but those born between 1970 and 1995 may not have received a second dose of the vaccine.