Almost Another Milestone: Rockland Measles Cases Hit 296

The number of measles cases confirmed in Rockland County since its outbreak began 10 months ago has hit 296 as of Aug. 15. Rockland hit 100 cases as the new year began.

Most of those cases were reported in people younger than 19.

Age groups for the confirmed measles cases in Rockland County as of August 15, 2019:

• Less than 1 year old: 12.2%
• 1-3 years: 27.0%
• 4-6 years: 13.9%
• 7-18 years: 26.4%
• 19+ years: 21.6%

New York has removed non-medical exemptions from school vaccine requirements for children who attend childcare programs or public, private or parochial schools through 12th grade. This will be the first school year for which there will be no religious exemptions to vaccinations in the state.

All children who do not have their required immunizations must have their first dose of vaccinations within 14 days from the first day of school. Parents and guardians of these children must show that they have made appointments for all required follow-up doses within 30 days of the start of school.

To help, the Rockland County Department of Health continues to offer opportunities for vaccination at the Department of Health, 2nd Floor Clinic, Building A, 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona, NY, on the following days and times throughout the rest of August:

• Mondays and Tuesdays: 2 – 4 PM
• Wednesdays through Fridays: 9 – 11:30 AM

To schedule an evening appointment call 845-364-2534 during regular office hours.

These days/times are for both the MMR and any other vaccine needed to attend school.

Nationwide, 1,203 cases of measles have been confirmed in 30 states in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control. This is an increase of 21 cases from the previous week. It is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1992 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

The states that have reported cases to CDC are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.

New York has more than 75 percent of the cases, centered in Rockland, Brooklyn and Queens.

"Vaccines save lives. We are in the midst of a measles epidemic which is completely preventable given proper immunizations,"said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Westchester in a press release after the state removed the religious exemption. "The fact that New York State has the overwhelming majority of these measles cases is shameful, and we must step up to protect New Yorkers' health."

Anti-vaxxers immediately filed suit to overturn the law, hiring lawyers Michael Sussman and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Recently, top global public health scientists launched a new challenge to anti-vaxxers worldwide.

SEE ALSO:

• 102 Cases Of Measles Confirmed In Rockland
• New York Ends Religious Exemptions For Measles