Temple University May Require Mumps Vaccinations Next Year

Temple University said it may require new students to be vaccinated against the mumps virus prior to enrolling for next school year, reported Joel Wolfram with WHYY on March 10, 2019. 

Temple announced this action following an ongoing outbreak of this viral illness on its Philadelphia, Pennsylvania campus. As of March 10, 2019, 16 mumps cases have been confirmed. 

Additionally, there is news of new mumps cases at Temple’s Ambler, Pennsylvania campus. 

According to Patch, 2 potential mumps cases have not yet been confirmed by lab tests, health officials said. 

Temple’s director of student health services, Mark Denys, said to the Courier Express ‘the university currently urges — but does not require — enrolling students to get the MMR vaccination series.’   

‘But, Denys said Temple will soon adopt a new policy making it a required vaccine, beginning with the next class of incoming freshmen.’ 

Temple is not alone in reporting an on-campus mumps outbreak. 

During 2018, various colleges reported mumps cases on campus, such as Cincinnati, Emory, Harvard, James Madison University, Michigan, Northern Colorado, Northeastern University, Oklahoma University, Penn State, TCU, Texas State, Western Illinois University, Lewis University, Columbia College, and Loyola University.     

During 2019, as of February 28, 2019, 30 US states and the District of Columbia have reported 151 mumps infections in people to CDC. 

The mumps virus is very contagious, spreading from person to person through respiratory secretions, which makes college-lifestyles ideal settings to create an outbreak, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

On November 16th, 2018, the CDC released new guidance on when the 3rd dose of mumps vaccine is appropriate. 

In the USA, most pharmacies offer mumps vaccination services. To schedule an appointment with a pharmacist visit this site. 

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides private sector vaccine prices for general information. Vaccine discounts can be found here. 

Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects, says the CDC. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of vaccines to the FDA or CDC.