The College of Charleston’s Student Health Services is still processing vaccination records. For those students missing documentation, please upload your immunization records electronically using the College’s Medicat system – the same system that you have been using for scheduling appointments in the College’s Student Health Center: https://cofc.medicatconnect.com/.
Based on the current status of the outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control are not recommending that College of Charleston remove anyone from campus to prevent further mumps cases.
College health officials are also pleased to report that the free Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Clinics held in the Stern Student Center on Wednesday and Thursday of this week went smoothly. More than 400 members of the campus community took advantage of this opportunity. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Medical University of South Carolina for assisting us with these clinics.
Please note, because of the highly contagious nature of the mumps disease, College of Charleston health officials encourage the College community to continue to stay vigilant and do the following in order to prevent the spread of the mumps disease:
- Get vaccinated – if you have not been vaccinated with the MMR vaccine; if you are unsure of your MMR vaccination status; if you do not have documentation of previous MMR vaccine; if you previously received only one dose (you should get a second dose).
- Practice preventative measures, such as good hand hygiene, cover coughs and sneezes, and avoid direct contact with saliva (e.g., kissing and sharing personal items such as toothbrushes, bottles/cups and tobacco/vaping products).
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are sick to prevent infecting others.
- At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control do not recommend a third dose of MMR vaccine for those who have documentation that they have been previously vaccinated. People born before 1957 are considered to have natural immunity and vaccination is not necessary in these individuals.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: If you believe you need an MMR vaccine and you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant, please consult with your healthcare provider.
If you start exhibiting symptoms of mumps (puffy cheeks, swollen jaw, swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides, fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, testicular swelling and pelvic pain), contact Student Health Services or a personal physician. During non-business and weekend hours for Student Health Services, please visit a local medical facility or contact the College of Charleston’s Public Safety Office at 843.953.5609 for assistance accessing medical care.
If you have active symptoms, self-isolate by staying home from school, work and social gatherings until the contagious period passes, which is 5 days after the start of parotid gland swelling. On-campus students and their roommates should contact Campus Housing at 843.953.5523 during business hours to receive assistance. During weekend hours, Residence Life is always available to assist through the on-call system. You may also go to your residence hall front-desk for assistance.
If you have questions or concerns, call Student Health Services at 843.953.5520 or email Student Health Services at healthservices@cofc.edu.