WILLIAMSBURG — Defiant Direct Primary Care announced it is holding a Measles Titers Day Saturday, March 29.
Defiant DPC said the initiative comes in response to a growing concern about the resurgence of measles cases in the region, with confirmed cases being reported as close as Dulles Airport.
Measles, it said, can spread rapidly in communities and lead to severe health complications, especially for individuals who have not been vaccinated or do not have immunity.
To help prevent a potential outbreak, Defiant DPC said it is offering a day dedicated to measles titer testing — helping individuals determine if they have immunity and, if needed, providing them with the necessary steps to protect themselves and others.
“We’ve seen how quickly diseases can spread in the modern world,” said Dr. Christina Mutch, one of Defiant’s co-founders and physicians. “We’re excited to take a leading role in raising awareness and helping people take charge of their own health.”
The decision to launch its Measles Titer’s Day comes after concerns that measles cases could soon reach epidemic levels, it said, with local health officials expressing growing alarm at the rise in cases.
“We wanted to take action before an outbreak knocks on our door,” said Dr. Jake Mutch, another co-founder and physician at Defiant. “This is about making sure our patients are protected, and by extension, we’re helping protect the entire community. We recognize that not everyone realizes how easily measles can spread, and our goal is to educate and empower our patients to take necessary precautions.”
Measles outbreaks can cause a range of serious complications, from pneumonia to encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and measles remains one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths worldwide, according to the clinic It is especially dangerous for children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
“There is a High-Risk Zone of people who may have compromised immunity. People born between 1958 and 1967 may not have the immunity they think they do, even if they were vaccinated.” Mutch said. “This was the period of time when we had the combination of a far less effective vaccine than today’s and also a decreasing exposure to the virus, meaning that fewer people in this bracket had immunity by either natural or vaccination methods.”
“Our clinic is committed to helping people understand their health risks, and measles immunity is just one of the many ways we can protect our community,” added Dr. Christina Mutch. “By being early adopters of this protocol, we’re hoping to set an example for other clinics in the area and nationwide. We hope other organizations will consider offering similar services so we can build a collective shield against the potential for a measles outbreak.”
The clinic is encouraging all patients to book appointments in advance. The test is quick and easy and will help individuals understand their immunity status, providing peace of mind or necessary steps for additional protection, it said.
For more information on how to schedule your Measles Titer test, or to learn more about the importance of immunity, please contact Defiant Direct Primary Care at 757-206-2840 or visit DefiantDPC.com.
