Indiana University Offering Free MMR Vaccinations To Students, Faculty, Staff

Last updated on Tuesday, February 23, 2016

(BLOOMINGTON) - Because of the increasing number of confirmed cases of mumps at Indiana University Bloomington, the campus - in cooperation with the Monroe County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health - will offer free measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations to students, faculty and staff on Wednesday and Thursday in the Georgian Room on the first floor of the Indiana Memorial Union.

The clinics will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. MMR vaccines will be given on a first-come first-served basis and are recommended for the following groups:

Students who have already received two MMR vaccinations and want a booster; students who are unsure of their vaccination status; or students who have never received the vaccine.
Faculty and staff born after 1957 who have already received two MMR vaccinations and want a booster; who are unsure of their vaccination status; or have never received the vaccine.

Anyone with symptoms will not be admitted to the vaccination clinic -- even if they have received the MMR vaccine. Those with symptoms should stay home and immediately call before going to the IU Health Center at (812) 855-5002 during office hours or (812) 330-3790 after hours.

University ID cards will be required at the clinics. Waiting times may vary.

Indiana University is investigating six confirmed cases of mumps -- five at IU Bloomington and one case at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. The fifth case at IU Bloomington was confirmed Friday after a news release announcing new cases was distributed, and it's possible this number will increase because of the mumps' ease of transmission in densely populated areas.

IU Bloomington is working with the Monroe County Health Department and the Indiana State Department of Health to identify and directly notify anyone who may have been in close contact with these cases and to implement measures to help prevent the additional transmission of mumps. IUPUI is working closely with the Marion County Health Department.

The best way to prevent mumps is to be vaccinated with at least two doses of the MMR vaccine. Those born before 1957 are considered to be immune to mumps due to the high rate of infection before that time. Some people who have been vaccinated may still contract mumps, because two doses of vaccine are considered around 80 percent effective.

To learn more, visit this mumps webpage and view these fast facts. Family members can read more information about the university's health services for students at IU Bloomington.

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