Protect yourself with the vaccine. The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. MMR is safe and effective. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles; one dose is about 93% effective.

Please see your local public health organization below for times and dates to get the MMR vaccine.

Thursday, April 3

• Physical Therapy Associates (3838 50th St)- 11:00-4:00 PM

Wednesday, April 2

• Fresenius Kidney Care (1923 Marsha Sharp Fwy, Ste 102)- 1:00-6:00 PM

Tuesday, April 1

• Crunch Fitness (6205 Slide Rd)- 7:00-11:15 PM

Monday, March 31st

• Tiny Tots U Learning Academy (13706 University Ave)- 8:00-6:00 PM
• Walmart (4215 S Loop 289)

If you are concerned about potential exposure at the locations listed above, please monitor for symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a red rash that starts at the head and travels down the body.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine are unlikely to contract measles. Those at greatest risk for contracting measles are those who are not vaccinated or have not had prior measles infection. Lubbock Public Health urges unvaccinated individuals over the age of 1 year to consider getting the MMR vaccine.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread easily. The virus is a serious illness that can lead to severe complications. Early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a red rash. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets and can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours. 

Symptoms appear 7 to 21 days after contact with the virus, and may include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• 2-3 days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots (Koplik spots) may appear inside the mouth.
• 3-5 days after symptoms begin, a rash that appears flat and red may appear on the face and hairline. This rash tends to spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

What to do if exposed or symptomatic:

• Isolate yourself immediately to prevent spreading the virus to others.
• Contact your healthcare provider by phone to arrange testing in a way that minimizes exposure to others (do not show up unannounced).
• Watch for symptoms, which typically develop 7 to 21 days after exposure.

When to seek emergency care:

Measles typically starts with cough, runny nose, and red eyes and often leads to a rash and fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think you have measles, get medical care. Symptoms can become worse over time, complications can develop, and measles can be deadly if you don’t receive appropriate care. If you have measles or think you might, go to the emergency room immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

• A hard time breathing or breathing faster or slower than normal

• Signs of severe dehydration (dry nose and mouth, urinating less than usual)

• Confusion, headache, decreased alertness, or changes in behavior

• For young children: crying without making tears, fussier than normal, low energy, loss of appetite, or looking blue around the mouth

Have someone call the ER to let them know a person with measles is coming in so they can see you away from other patients.