Community Clinic to Prevent Measles and Whooping Cough

Measles and pertussis (whooping cough) are spreading in Clackamas County. Make sure you and your family are protected. 

So far in 2024, we’ve seen more measles cases in the US than we saw in all of 2023, including cases here in Canby. All cases here have been in unvaccinated people. Oregon has seen nearly 500 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) this year, more than any recent year. Whooping cough can cause serious illness in people of all ages but is most dangerous for babies.

What you should know about the measles vaccine:

• The measles vaccine (called the MMR vaccine) has been safely used since the 1970s and is highly effective at making sure you don’t get measles at all.
• Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age, but it’s never too late to get vaccinated.
• If someone at your child’s school gets measles and your child is not vaccinated, they may be excluded from attending school for 21 days or more.

What you should know about the DTaP and Tdap vaccines, which protect against pertussis:

• Pertussis vaccines have been around since 1914! Pertussis-containing vaccines protect you against whooping cough, but it's important to stay up-to-date on boosters.
• The vaccine schedule for pertussis-containing vaccines is:
  DTaP at 2, 4, and 6 months, at 15 through 18 months, and at 4 through 6 years.
  Tdap is recommended as a booster at age 11, but your child can get it as young as age 7 if they missed one or more doses of DTaP.
  Any adult 19 years of age or older who has never received a dose of Tdap should get one.
  Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy to protect their babies.