'Measles State Of Emergency Is Over': Rockland County Executive

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County's measles state of emergency is officially over. County Executive Ed Day announced Thursday at a press conference that the emergency, which technically expired at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, would not be extended.

"While the state of emergency is no longer in effect," Day said, "our vigilance will not be compromised or slowed in any way."

He said the county health department will still be inspecting all schools to ensure strict compliance with vaccination requirements.

"We will not allow this disease to take root again in our county," Day said.

As of Wednesday, there were 283 confirmed reported cases of measles in Rockland county since the outbreak began in October 2018.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, from Jan. 1 to July 18, 1,148 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 30 states. That represents an increase of 25 cases over the previous week. The CDC said this is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1992 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

Day said the number of new confirmed cases in Rockland has been dropping over the last three months, with a decline of 29 percent in May, 63 percent in June and 42 percent to date in July.

The county has administered about 21,000 measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations since the outbreak began in October.

Day said the county typically would give out 1,200 MMR vaccinations per year.

County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said that the message was sinking in around the county that getting vaccinated was for the greater good of the community.

She said 100 percent of vaccination records were reviewed before the start of summer camps, and all of the camps were given permits to open on time.

"Remember, this is a vaccine-preventable disease," Ruppert said. "Vaccines are safe. Vaccines are effective."

She urged people who have the disease or who might have been exposed to remain isolated and cooperate with the health department when they are contacted.

"You don't want a subpoena from me," Ruppert said, adding that there has been 100 percent compliance since the state of emergency went into effect and no one has been fined.

Day said that the measles outbreak took a financial toll on the county's coffers.

He said the New York State Association of County Health Officials estimated that the outbreak cost Rockland County between $2.1 million and just under $6 million.

Day said the county is working diligently to find other areas of revenue to cover the costs.

"We are looking not to have this hurt us fiscally," he said.

The state of New York recently enacted legislation that prohibits religious exemptions for vaccinations.

Anti-vaccine activists tried bringing a lawsuit to block the new law from going into effect but a state Supreme Court justice denied their request for a temporary restraining order July 12.

Rockland County continues to offer opportunities for residents to get vaccinated at the Department of Health, 2nd Floor Clinic, Building A, 50 Sanatorium Road, in Pomona, on the following days and times in July and August:

• Mondays and Tuesdays: 2 p.m. to – 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays through Fridays: 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

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

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