Whitemarsh Township is urging residents to get vaccinated at Montgomery County's free community clinics this month as Pennsylvania's measles outbreak nears 1,000 confirmed cases.

The township posted a civic alert Friday, Oct. 2, relaying the county's announcement. The clinics offer flu, COVID-19 and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines to residents, workers and students ages 6 months and older. There is no cost or co-pay.

As we reported Oct. 2, the state has now recorded five measles-associated deaths. The confirmed case count has risen to 977 statewide, according to the American Hospital Association. All but four cases have been among people who were not fully vaccinated, NBC Philadelphia reported.

No cases in Montgomery County have been linked to the outbreak, according to the county's Office of Public Health. Still, the county added MMR shots to its community clinics for the first time this year.

"We have never given MMR at clinics like this before," Kalyn Roberts of the Montgomery County Department of Health told NBC Philadelphia on Thursday, Oct. 1.

The county has previously offered COVID-19 and seasonal flu shots at community clinics. More than 53,000 MMR doses were administered statewide in September, more than double the typical monthly total.

One confirmed clinic close to the Whitemarsh area is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the College Hall Community Room, Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike. Walk-ins are welcome, but advance registration is recommended. That clinic will offer COVID-19, flu and MMR vaccines, according to montco.today.

The county health office also notes that people vaccinated before 1968 may need a new MMR dose, since some older vaccines were less effective. Residents vaccinated in Pennsylvania can check their records through the PIERS Public Portal at pa.gov.

About 90% of unvaccinated people who have close contact with an infected person will contract measles, according to the county health office. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.

Anyone who suspects they have measles should call a health provider, urgent care or hospital emergency room before leaving home to reduce exposure to others. The county's Office of Public Health can also be reached at 610-278-5117.

The full schedule of October clinic dates, times and locations is available at montgomerycountypa.gov/immunizations.