Ryan Bender, PharmD Talking about Measles Outbreak and Importance of Vaccinations in Wisconsin

Measles in Madison: What Our Patients Need to Know

A case of measles has been confirmed right here in Dane County, and our team wants to make sure you and your family are protected.

Ryan Bender, Director of Clinical Services at Forward Pharmacy, was recently featured on WMTV NBC15 discussing the outbreak and how our community can respond. Here’s what he wants you to know. Watch now.

Measles is highly contagious, and very dangerous

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases we know of. If someone infected coughs in a room, that air can stay contaminated for up to two hours. The best protection is the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine — but Wisconsin’s vaccination rate is currently in the 80s, well below the 93–94% needed for community-wide protection.

In Madison alone, about 900 MMSD students are not fully vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or just someone who wants peace of mind, now is the time to check your status and that of your children.

What You Can Do Right Now

Check your records. The Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) tracks vaccines for anyone who’s received care in the state. Ask us and we can help you look up your history.
Not sure? Get vaccinated anyway. As Ryan told NBC15: “It’s better to be safe than sorry. Getting an extra dose of the measles vaccine is not going to hurt somebody.”
Walk in or schedule an appointment. Forward Pharmacy offers MMR vaccines at all of our locations. No need to wait — stop in or call us to set up a time that works for you.

Questions? We’re Here for You.

If you have questions about your vaccination history, whether you or your child needs an MMR dose, or anything else about measles, talk to us. That’s what we’re here for.

As Ryan says: “I urge people to talk to a pharmacist, talk to a physician, talk to a nurse — a trusted healthcare professional.” And we’d love to be that trusted resource for you and your family.