County Battle With Measles Epidemic Is Stepped Up : Health: Clinics will be open weeknights and Saturdays, offering free immunization shots.

In an effort to stem the worst measles epidemic in more than two decades, officials at Los Angeles County health clinics said Thursday that they will begin offering free vaccinations on evenings and Saturdays.

The stepped-up effort to eradicate the disease--which has already taken the lives of at least six Californians this year--was announced at a press conference at the Hubert H. Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center, one of 23 inner-city facilities offering free services to residents who cannot afford private health care. Currently, the county offers free vaccinations on weekdays, but only during working hours.

In addition, as part of a statewide effort to boost the number of vaccinated children, the Los Angeles County Medical Assn. will sponsor a measles inoculation campaign on May 19 at a number of Carl’s Jr. restaurants and other sites throughout the county.

Likening the situation in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley to that of a Third World nation, Dr. Walter Orenstein, director of the division of immunizations at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, said California is not alone in facing this largely unexplained epidemic. Alaska, Wisconsin and Illinois have a greater concentration of the disease, although California, because of its huge population, has reported the most cases.

“There isn’t sufficient appreciation . . . for how serious an illness this can be,” said Dr. Kenneth W. Kizer, director of the California Department of Health Services.

Surveys indicate that as many as 30% of California’s children--and 50% of its minority children--have not been vaccinated by age 2.

Measles, also known as red measles or rubeola, is one of the most contagious of all viruses. It typically begins with a cough, runny nose and high fever. After three to four days, a red, raised rash typically appears on the face and spreads down the body. The rash usually lasts only about five days but the patient is typically contagious for four days before the rash appears and for four more days after it disappears.

Complications include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, pneumonia and encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. If not diagnosed and treated, complications can lead to death.

So far, the epidemic has hit poor, inner-city minority children the hardest. In Los Angeles County, 58% of the cases have been among preschool-age children, primarily Latinos.

Although the vaccine is not foolproof, it is considered safe and works in 92% to 95% of cases. All children 15 months and older and young adults born in 1957 or later should be immunized against measles, according to the Department of Health Services. A second dose is also recommended for children entering elementary school or for teen-agers who are about to enroll in college. The vaccine, known as MMR, also inoculates against mumps and another form of measles known as rubella or German measles.

Parents who want more information on the vaccine should call their private physicians, the country health center nearest them or (213) 250-8055.