FREE CLINIC SATURDAY: Health officials urge community to get vaccinated for measles

MILWAUKEE (WITI) — Doctors and public health officials are preparing for the possible arrival of measles in Wisconsin, as an outbreak originated in California’s Disneyland moves swiftly across the country.

Valery Jahn takes a practical approach to raising her kids.

"Kids are going to get sick, they're going to get the cold, I try and protect them against the big bad things," said Jahn.

So Jahn had both 4-year-old Gigi and 2-year-old Mason vaccinated.

"I believe that for my children I want them to be protected for as much as they can be protected," said Jahn.

This season Jahn's watching out for measles -- a highly contagious disease that's sweeping across the country. According to the CDC, in January, 102 people from 14 states were reported to have measles.

"I'm aware that it isn't here yet but that can change at any point really," said Jahn.

That's why health officials are pushing for school aged children to get vaccinated. So far, immunizations in the public and private schools in Milwaukee has improved from 61% to 89%.

"That's great news. That's the highest that we've ever recorded. Our goal is to get with 95% which is the gold standard," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

So the city is holding a free vaccination clinic on Saturday, February 14th. This will be the second of 2 free clinics -- the last one brought in nearly 100 people.

"We're encouraged about 100 people showing up, we'd like to see far more than that. This is about leaning forward and protecting our community prior to the arrival of measles," said Paul Biedrezycki, City of Milwaukee Director of Disease Control.

Which is practically knocking at our door with 11 confirmed cases of the measles in Illinois -- 10 of which are associated with KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine, Illinois.

"We've been fortunate enough to this point but we're not resting on our laurels, what we're trying to do is proactively make sure everyone knows how important it is to get the measles immunization," said Mayor Barrett.

It's important to mention that measles is widely considered a childhood illness that spreads rapidly through schools, playgrounds and daycares. But this national measles outbreak is showing us that it is a danger for people of all ages making it just as important for adults to get up-to-date on the vaccines as it is for kids.

Some parents opt against vaccinating their children because of religious beliefs — others because of a possible link to autism, but city health officials say that theory has been disproven.

“These vaccines are remarkably safe. In fact, a meta-analysis of over 46 studies shows no compelling evidence or correlation between vaccination and autism,” said Biedrzyski.

The city will hold a special immunization clinic next Saturday, February 14th, at the Keenan Health Center.