Dept. of Health urges mumps vaccinations

The Hawaii Department of Health continues to urge residents to get a vaccine “outbreak dose” against mumps.

Since the outbreak began, 842 mumps cases have been confirmed statewide, including 671 in the city and county of Honolulu, 119 on Hawaii, 49 on Kauai and three on Maui.

Health officials say children 10-17 and adults born in 1957 or later “should receive an additional MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine dose now,” even if they are previously up to date on vaccination.

Those born before 1957 are presumed immune from having been exposed to mumps before vaccinations started.