Mumps Cases Expanding in Washington

Washington state health officials have reported the mumps outbreak has now infected 94 people in Spokane.

Of the 94 infections reported, 60 were among people who had been vaccinated for mumps, 6 in unvaccinated people and 28 in people whose vaccination status was not clear, according to the Spokane Regional Health District.

A majority of Spokane County’s mumps cases are in school-aged children, which is impacting multiple school districts.

Most of those affected are under the age of 20, according to Kim Papich, a spokeswoman for the Spokane Regional Health Department.

The health department said it expects to see more cases in the outbreak.

If children are not fully immunized according to requirements set forth by the Washington State Board of Health, Washington state regulations authorize the exclusion of children from school, preschool, or child care during a mumps outbreak.

In addition to the exclusion of students, WAC 246-110-020 authorizes Health Officers to exclude affected staff from working if they are not up to date with their immunizations, or if they do not have other acceptable evidence of immunity.

“Approximately 300 students without up-to-date vaccination documents have been told to stay home from school in the hopes of protecting them from the virus,” Papich said.

According to the Centers of Disease and Control (CDC), the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine itself is 88 percent effective after two doses, so it is still possible to catch the disease even after vaccination.

However, those who have been vaccinated usually have milder symptoms and are less contagious.

Merck is the manufacturer of the mumps vaccinations. MMR and ProQuad both contain the protection for mumps, as well as protection for measles, rubella. ProQuad additionally protects against varicella.

The CDC recommends that children receive get two doses of MMR vaccine:

• the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age
• the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age
• children can receive the second dose earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose

Students at post-high school educational institutions, such as college, trade schools, and training programs, who do not have evidence of immunity (protection) against mumps need two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

The CDC Vaccine Price Lists posted on this website provide current vaccine contract prices and list the private sector vaccine prices for general information. The information can be found here.