AUSTIN, Texas — As health officials track the measles outbreak in West Texas with 198 confirmed cases so far, the surge has increased demand for the MMR vaccine.
The demand has pushed some Texas cities into experiencing supply issues. In Austin, pharmacies are working to meet the sudden demand for vaccines.
Angela Solis, director of clinical services at Lamar Plaza Drug Store, said their locations have administered over 150 doses between their two locations since the initial outbreak. That’s compared to their usual three to four monthly MMR vaccinations, mostly given to children who are regularly scheduled to get them.
“The demand’s there, and it’s being given to adults who don’t know their vaccine status,” Solis said. “It’s being given early to children before the recommended schedule now because of the outbreak.”
Before the outbreak, Solis said they carried 10 doses in each store. However, in the last few weeks, she said they’ve gotten at least five to almost 30 people walking through the door daily.
“We initially ordered up and doubled our quantity in stock and then it became difficult to get, so we really had to reach out to all avenues and find new ways to procure it,” Solis said.
A week and a half ago, Solis said their supplier completely ran out of the MMR vaccine. Eventually, they were able to find another supplier while their regular one stocked up, but there was a fear that they would run out.
“That’s why we jumped so hard and so fast, to try to make sure we could keep it on hand,” Solis said.
According to Solis, they now have 200 doses at one location and 150 at the other. It’s welcomed news for people like 66-year-old Ben Livingston of Austin, who said he’s getting the MMR vaccine.
“I’m here to get the MMR vaccine because everyone should,” Livingston said. “Better safe than sorry.”
Livingston said he’s unsure if he got the vaccine as a child because he was born before the MMR vaccine was invented in 1963. Solis said adults who don’t know if they were vaccinated against measles should talk to a health professional for guidance on what to do.