Author: Veronica de la Rosa

Measles Outbreak in Texas: What You Need to Know to Stay Protected

Please visit our YouTube Channel to see the video.
Por favor, visite el canal de YouTube de People’s para ver el video.

A significant measles outbreak is currently affecting parts of Texas, particularly in the West Texas and southern plains regions. As cases rise, many individuals are understandably asking: Am I protected?

To help answer this important question, Dr. Louis Appel, Director of Pediatrics at People’s Community Clinic, offers expert guidance on protecting yourself and your loved ones during this outbreak. Here’s what you need to know.

 

Who Needs the Measles Vaccine?
If you were born before 1957, it’s generally assumed you’re immune to measles because of natural exposure during that time period. However, if you were born in 1957 or later, you should be vaccinated.

Children should receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine—first at 12–15 months old and again at 4–6 years old. Adults should ensure they’ve had at least one dose and in some cases, two.

 

Not Sure About Your Vaccination History?
If you’re uncertain whether you’ve been vaccinated, check your medical records or speak with your healthcare provider. They can help assess your history and determine the best course of action. Sometimes, a blood test can check for immunity, or you can get vaccinated—an extra dose won’t cause harm.

 

How Does Measles Spread—and What Are the Symptoms?
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses. It spreads through airborne respiratory droplets and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left a room. That means you don’t need to have direct contact to catch it.

Early symptoms include:

• Fever

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Conjunctivitis (red or pink eye)

• A rash that typically appears a few days later

Importantly, people with measles are contagious up to four days before the rash appears and four days after—making it easy for the virus to spread before it’s even recognized.

 

What Should You Do if You Suspect Measles?
Call your healthcare provider before heading to a clinic or emergency room if you believe you may have measles. They may provide special instructions to avoid exposing others, such as waiting outside or entering through a separate entrance.

 

Is the Vaccine Safe and Effective?
Yes. The MMR vaccine is highly effective—about 93% after the first dose and 97% after the second. Like all medical treatments, it can cause mild side effects (such as fever or soreness at the injection site), but serious reactions are rare.

Concerns about a connection between the MMR vaccine and autism have been thoroughly debunked. Extensive studies have found no link between the vaccine and autism.

 

Why Vaccination Matters
While most people recover from measles, the illness can lead to serious complications, especially in young children. These include ear infections, pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and, in rare cases, death. The vaccine is our best defense.

Stay informed and protected.

 

As this outbreak unfolds, ensuring your vaccination history is current is more important than ever. Your healthcare provider is your best resource if you’re unsure or have questions. You can also leave your questions in the comments; we’ll do our best to help.

Vaccination isn’t just about personal protection—it’s about community health. Don’t wait. Take action today.

 

People’s Community Clinic is here to support you with accurate information and trusted care. Contact 512.478.4939 for more information.

 

 

 

 

Keep the Care They Trust

Turning 65 is a wonderful time of life but it does come with big decisions about healthcare. Consistency in care is essential, especially for older adults. People’s Community Clinic (People’s) is where at any age patients can continue seeing the doctors they know and trust.

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Making Medicare Simple

People’s recommends that you visit with a financial counselor about Medicare before you turn 65. Navigating Medicare can be overwhelming, but help is available. People’s financial counselors assist patients by:

✔️ Explaining Medicare options

✔️ Comparing plans to find the best fit

✔️ Helping patients enroll with confidence

✔️ Identifying programs that can save money

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Comprehensive Care for Your Long-Term Health at People’s

At People’s, care goes beyond doctor visits. The clinic prioritizes preventive services and long-term wellness, offering:

🩺 Routine check-ups and screenings to catch potential health concerns early.

💓 Chronic disease management for conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

📝 Advance care planning to ensure healthcare wishes are respected.

Additionally, People’s connects patients with social support services, community programs, and transportation assistance, ensuring healthcare and wrap-around services are available.

As the population ages, access to compassionate, high-quality healthcare is vital. People’s Community Clinic is dedicated to providing personalized, patient-centered care for older adults, allowing them to continue seeing the doctors they trust. Whether navigating Medicare options, managing a health condition, or prioritizing preventive care, People’s ensures patients receive the support and guidance they need at every stage of their journey.

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What’s Next?

People’s recommends that you visit with a financial counselor about Medicare before you turn 65 so you have the information you need to make the best decision for your care.  If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with one of our financial counselors, please don’t hesitate to call us at 512.478.4939.

We’re here to help you navigate the Medicare process and ensure you have the support you need at every stage of your healthcare journey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robin’s leadership has helped transform the lives of many young people. One of Robin’s most significant achievements was the establishment of Tandem, a Teen Prenatal & Parenting Program which provides comprehensive support for young parents, from prenatal care and housing to education and job training. This groundbreaking multi-agency initiative has improved the health outcomes of young parents and their children.

 

In addition to her instrumental role in shaping Tandem, Robin helped establish People’s Integrated Behavioral Health Department and the Integrative Pain Management Program (IPMP). IPMP provides comprehensive emotional wellbeing services and offers alternatives to opioid use to help patients manage chronic pain effectively. Her support for holistic care has fostered a healing community.

 

After nearly thirty years of dedicated service, Robin will be retiring. Her tenure has been marked by an enduring commitment to our clinic’s mission, a commitment that has had a profound and lasting impact on our community.

 

Reflecting on her years at the clinic, Robin shared that the most rewarding aspect of her job was her interaction with the patients—admiring their resilience and drawing inspiration from their courage. She often shared heartwarming stories of patients who, despite distress they have experienced in the past, are leading fulfilling lives. She also highlighted the importance of staff in fostering successful outcomes, emphasizing that “staff morale and wellness are equal priorities along with productivity because without them, we have no clinic.”

 

When asked about the key to success in her work, Robin pointed to empathy, a good sense of humor, and the ability not to take oneself too seriously, given the serious nature of their work.

 

Here’s to Robin Rosell—a true pioneer and an unwavering support for both patients and staff. Thank you, Robin, for your years of service and dedication!

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A Holistic Approach to Teen Care
Since it began in 1998, Tandem’s holistic approach has been its cornerstone. Recognizing that pregnant teens face a myriad of psychosocial issues beyond medical care, Tandem integrates intensive interventions addressing family, educational, legal, and emotional wellbeing challenges. Program director Robin Rosell says, “What we started to see immediately was that prenatal care was just the tip of the iceberg.”

 

This all-encompassing support system has led to significant achievements in pregnancy prevention. For instance, Ashley, a recent Tandem participant, was able to avoid a subsequent pregnancy due largely in part to the comprehensive support she received from Tandem case manager Cathy Smith. Cathy has been with the Tandem program for over twenty years and has worked with Ashley since she was 17, three years ago.

 

“Cathy has been with me since before I graduated high school – she helped me buy my cap and gown. During COVID she would come to my house and bring supplies like diapers, food, and books. She was always by my side telling me to keep going. I remember thinking ‘it’s going to be ok now, she is going to help me.” – Ashley C., Tandem participant. 

 

“Ashley can be very hard on herself and sometimes doesn’t ask for help.” Cathy Smith noted, “She doesn’t have any real family with her in town, so I kept an eye on her to make sure her needs were met. Since coming to People’s she has graduated high school and she receives ongoing counseling through our collaboration with Austin Child Guidance Center. Ashley has earned her real estate broker’s degree from Austin Community College and is about to take her licensing exam. She is thriving.” –

 

Ashley is only one example of the positive impact the Tandem program has on its participants and surrounding communities. In recent years, the rate of subsequent pregnancies for Tandem participants has remained impressively below 2% in 2023, starkly contrasting Texas’ 17.1% statewide average in 2020. 75% of Tandem participants are either in school, returned to school, or are employed full time.

 

A Collaborative Effort for Holistic Care
The success of Tandem lies in the collaboration of four dedicated agencies, each bringing vital services to the table:

• People’s Community Clinic: Leads with medical services, program coordination, family planning, and financial oversight.
  

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• LifeWorks: Offers housing, counseling, and educational programs, including GED and job placement services, and spearheads programming focused on young fathers. Rosell notes, “Dads are different. The support Tandem provides for fathers is much more work-focused, getting them jobs.” The program’s approach to fatherhood includes recognizing the young fathers’ important role in the parenting journey and ensuring they have the resources and support they need.
  

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• Any Baby Can: Provides in-home therapies and family support services.
  

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• Austin Child Guidance Center: Focuses on improving emotional wellbeing through early intervention, diagnosis, and treatment, offering in-home counseling to Tandem teens and ongoing emotional wellbeing support.

Beyond services, each agency also contributes crucial funding, seeking new sources to sustain and expand the program. This collaborative spirit embodies a “divide-and-conquer” mentality, with all egos and agency identities left at the door. A researcher from the Hogg Foundation noted the absence of “turfdom” within Tandem, a testament to the leadership’s commitment to the team and the program.

 

Cathy Smith shares, “Getting to be part of such an important time in a young parent’s life has been a gift to me for the past 20 years, and having such a supportive collaboration as Tandem, where everyone has the same passion and dedication in helping them to succeed, is what has made this program successful for so long.”

 

Navigating Challenges with Resilience
Tandem faces several challenges, including changes in reproductive health laws and the regulatory climate regarding people who are not from here. These factors impact access to care and contribute to stress and emotional wellbeing issues among participants. Additionally, there is a persistent need for childcare resources and basic needs assistance, exacerbated by rising living costs and inflation.

 

Despite the hurdles, Tandem’s collaborative approach has allowed it to adapt and thrive. The program’s success is a testament to the unshakeable dedication of its case managers and the seamless integration of services provided by partner agencies. Intensive case management and strong connections with medical facilities ensure participants receive timely and comprehensive care that provide a sense of safety in the face of a life experience that can seem very bleak when you face it as a teen.

 

The Importance of Funding and Future Goals
Securing consistent funding is critical for Tandem’s future. The program’s success heavily relies on the support of partners like St. David’s Foundation, which has provided funding for over 27 years. “St. David’s Foundation has been a wonderful blessing to Austin,” says Rosell, acknowledging their pivotal role since the program’s inception and expressing deep gratitude for their continued support.

 

Looking Ahead
The weekly in-person meetings of the Tandem team foster a sense of community and shared purpose, ensuring that the focus remains on the well-being of the young participants. As we look to the future, the hope is that Tandem will continue to thrive, adapting to new challenges and leveraging community partnerships to provide holistic, compassionate care.

Tandem’s success story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through community collaboration and dedication to the health and well-being of our young people.

 

People’s Community Clinic, along with our community partners, offers a variety of services that are open to the public on a weekly basis including healthy cooking classes, eye exams, mammograms, fresh food available at a discount, and more.

Check out our schedule below (English & Spanish) to see what’s happening and join us in promoting a healthier community.