Bed-Stuy Schools Shuttered For Flouting Measles Vaccination Rules

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — Two Bed-Stuy schools were shut down for allowing unvaccinated students to come to class in the midst of a nationwide Measles outbreak that began in Brooklyn, officials said.

Tiferes Bnos at 585 Marcy Ave. and Talmud Torah D’Nitra at 1007 Bedford Ave. were ordered shut Monday for not excluding unvaccinated students from their campuses, the Health Department announced.

"Enforcement has been stepped up intensely," said Mayor Bill de Blasio at a press conference. "We're going to use every measure that we have to make clear how serious this situation is."

Health officials have also sent out 57 summons in the past peek to people, accused of ignoring an Emergency Order to get a Measles vaccines, who could now face up to $2,000 in fines, officials said.

“Schools that continue to disregard our direction during the outbreak will be closed down until they can prove to the Health Department that they will comply,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot.

“The reality is, the longer it takes schools and individuals to comply with our Order, the longer this outbreak will continue.”

They are among seven schools the New York City Health Department has closed amid a Measles epidemic that has surpassed 700 cases in New York, Detroit and Los Angeles, the New York Times reported.

Since Measles first broke out in Brooklyn in October, there have been 348 cases confirmed in Williamsburg and a total of 423 in New York City, including two pregnant women, health officials said.

Health Department officials estimate 1,300 vaccinations have been given in Williamsburg since the Emergency Order was issued on April 9.

The two yeshivas will remain shut until the Health Department reviews and approves an action plan to maintain medical records and correct current policies, according to officials.