As New York's measles cases this year have risen to 108, Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared a state disaster emergency from Oct. 6 to Nov. 4. Most cases are in 18 rural upstate counties, and New York City has 7. During the emergency, pharmacists can give the MMR vaccine to children as young as 2, and nurses, EMTs and midwives can also administer it. In neighboring Pennsylvania, cases have topped 1,000 and 5 people have died. Adults born in 1957 or later who have no vaccination record should check their status now.
New York State has declared a disaster emergency over measles. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Executive Order 65 on Oct. 5, and the emergency will remain in effect for 30 days, from Oct. 6 to Nov. 4. The key aim is to make vaccines available in more places and easier to get.
101 of 108 Cases Are Outside New York City
According to the state Department of Health, New York had 108 confirmed measles cases this year as of Oct. 3. New York City accounts for 7, and the other 101 were outside the city. Since July 15 alone, 92 cases have surfaced across 18 counties. Otsego County has the most with 20, followed by Seneca with 17, Steuben with 14 and Lewis with 11. Most are rural upstate communities with low vaccination rates.
Just to the south, Pennsylvania is in worse shape. Cases there have passed 1,000, centered on rural counties bordering New York, and 5 people have died. Nationwide, cases this year are approaching 3,900, making it the worst year since 1991. Hochul said, "No one should become seriously ill or lose their life to a disease that can be prevented with a vaccine."
What Changes
The most noticeable change is at the pharmacy. Normally, pharmacists in New York cannot give children the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, but during the emergency they can vaccinate children starting at age 2. If pediatrician appointments are backed up, calling your neighborhood pharmacy first is now an option. Nurses, EMTs and midwives can also give vaccinations, and registered nurses can directly order measles tests.
Vaccination record-keeping is also being sped up. Every MMR dose must be entered into the state and New York City immunization registries within 72 hours, and adults will be recorded without separate consent. Vaccination itself still requires consent from the individual or a parent or guardian, as it does now. Since mid-July, local health departments have given more than 1,000 MMR doses in rural areas alone.
Is My Family Safe?
Measles is airborne. It is so contagious that a person can catch it by entering a room two hours after an infected person has left. Seven to 21 days after infection, high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes appear first, and 3 to 5 days later a red rash begins at the hairline and spreads down the body. Unvaccinated people who are exposed may be quarantined for 21 days.
People born before 1957 are generally considered immune because they most likely had measles as children. If you were born after that and have no vaccination record, it is a good idea to check. Adults who grew up in Korea often have difficulty finding their vaccination records. Without one, you can have a blood test to check for antibodies or simply get another MMR dose. An extra dose is not harmful for someone who is already immune. Infants under 1 year old, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems either cannot be vaccinated or face higher risk, so vaccination among the family members around them is even more important.
This is also the season when many families head upstate to see fall foliage or pick apples. If you develop a high fever and rash, call the clinic or hospital first and describe your symptoms rather than going straight in, so you do not spread the virus to others in the waiting room. Case counts by county are updated every Tuesday on the measles dashboard on the state Department of Health website (health.ny.gov).