Temple University offers walk-in vaccine clinics as mumps cases top 100
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Temple University is holding the first of two scheduled vaccination clinics Wednesday, as the number of mumps cases affecting the campus community continues to rise.
There are now 106 cases, 18 confirmed, and the rest are probable.
These new numbers reflect just how fast this outbreak is spreading. Officials say they're getting five additional reports a day.
The university is encouraging students, staff, and faculty to get these boosters Wednesday at Temple University's Mitten Hall.
"They were waiting at 8:30 this morning to come inside and we didn't start until 9 so that is a great sign," said Temple University Spokesperson Ray Betzner.
The university believes they have identified patient zero but would not go into detail about who that individual may be.
Again this is a virus that spreads through close contacts, like kissing and sharing of utensils.
It's also important to note, most of those who got the mumps were vaccinated.
Doctors say MMR vaccine often weakens as people hit their teens or early 20s, but the best defense against the spread is the vaccine.
Students say the decision the get a vaccine or booster of the MMR vaccine was simple: they don't want mumps.
Student Jared Krieger said, "If I know they have the mumps I'm not talking to them."
Autumn Sanders, a sophomore, said, "It is like the least expected thing, an outbreak of the mumps."
In fact, Sydney Cox is wearing a mask because she's so concerned about contracting the mumps.
She said "I'm a health care provider and I have a 4-year-old! can't take any risks giving kids mumps."
And that's why the university and the health department are hoping another dose will help curb this growing number.
Student Health Director at Temple, Mark Denys said, "We're really trying to encourage folks to come. It is the best way to protect themselves even if they have not been exposed or if they have been exposed, it is the best way to protect themselves even if they get a case of the mumps after being vaccinated again. It's likely that the case will be less severe, and less risk of complications..."
The next clinic is set for Friday. It will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Temple officials say 2,285 doses of the vaccine were administered on Wednesday.
