Measles Exposure At Pharmacy Plus

SPRING VALLEY, NY — Anyone who visited Pharmacy Plus, located at 728 N. Main St. in Spring Valley on May 28 between 1 and 4 p.m. was exposed to the measles.

The contagious person was there between 1-2 p.m. There's also a two-hour period after they left the area, because the virus remains in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours.

If you were present at this location during these times, especially if you are in any of the following high-risk groups, contact your health care provider by phone right away (call before going for care):

• Pregnant
• A child under 6 months of age
• Immunocompromised or immunosuppressed (when your body can't fight disease)
• Have not been vaccinated against the measles
• Were born before 1957 and are immunosuppressed

"Being up-to-date with your measles vaccination is the best way to help protect yourself, your family, and the community, especially those who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health conditions," said Dr. Patricia Ruppert, Rockland County health commissioner.

Free MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines are available at the Rockland County Department of Health, Building A, Exhibition Hall (lobby area), located at 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona at the following dates and times. No appointments are needed.

• Monday, June 10, from 4– 6:00 pm

Free MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines are also available at the Rockland County Department of Health, Building A, second floor clinic area, located at 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona at the following dates and times. No appointments are needed.

• Monday, June 17 and June 24 from 2 - 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, June 11, June 18, and June 25 from 2 - 4:00 pm
• Wednesday, June 19 and June 26 from 9 -11:30 am
• Thursday, June 13, June 20, and June 27 from 9 - 11:30 am
• Friday, June 21 and June 28 from 9 -11:30 am

The Health Department is actively working to contain the further spread of measles.

Since the outbreak began, the Health Department together with partners such as Refuah Health Center and private pediatricians and family doctors have administered over 22,000 doses of MMR vaccine.

If you are ill with a fever, rash, or conjunctivitis (red watery eyes), please help protect our community - stay home, do not have visitors, and do not go out in public. If you have symptoms consistent with measles, contact your health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care. This will help prevent others at these facilities from being exposed to the illness.

"We urge everyone to follow the Health Department's advice - get vaccinated against the measles, and if you are sick with measles - stay home. We are making progress against this dangerous disease but this outbreak is still a public health emergency and we need the entire community's help to end it," said County Executive Ed Day.

The Health Department is asking all health care providers to immediately report all cases of suspect measles to the Rockland County Department of Health Communicable Disease Program staff by calling (845) 364-2997 during normal business hours, or (845) 364-8600 after hours/weekends. Health Care Providers can also call this number for additional information.