More Measles Cases, More Free Vaccines Offered

NEW CITY, NY — As of July 8, there have been 278 confirmed reported cases of measles in Rockland County since the outbreak began in October. With three new cases in the past week, County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert wants to remind residents of the importance of getting vaccinated.

It can also be done for free. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines are available at the following dates and times. No appointments are needed.

• Mondays; July 15, July 22, and July 29 from 2 pm - 4 pm
• Tuesdays; July 9, July 16, July 23, and July 30 from 2 pm - 4 pm
• Wednesdays; July 10, July 17, July 24, and July 31 from 9 - 11:30 am
• Thursdays; July 11, July 18, and July 25 from 9 am - 11:30 am
• Fridays; July 12, July 19, and July 26 from 9 am - 11:30 am

For an evening appointment: Call 845-364-2534 Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm.

All free shots are administered at the Rockland County Department of Health, Building A, second floor clinic area, at 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona.

"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. We are offering multiple opportunities for residents to get free MMR vaccinations," said Dr. Ruppert.

Measles has become a problem nationwide. So far in 2019, 1,109 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 28 states. This is is the biggest outbreak reported in the U.S. since 1992 and since measles was declared eliminated in 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Most of the confirmed cases have been in New York State.

Rockland's outbreak began in October; as of July 1, there have been 619 confirmed cases in New York City since September.

Since Rockland's outbreak began, the Health Department together with partners such as Refuah Health Center and private pediatricians and family doctors have administered 24,186 doses of MMR vaccine, officials said.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on earth.

The measles virus is so highly contagious that an un-vaccinated or -immune person who shares close space with an infected person who sneezes or coughs has a 90 percent chance of contracting the illness.

The measles virus lives in the nose and throat mucous of an infected person. The virus is hearty, and can live for up to two hours in an airspace where an infected person coughed or sneezed. And people who have measles can spread it from four days before a rash appears to four days after it has cleared.

On average, a person infected with measles gives it to 18 people, Dr. Ruppert has said.

Due to Rockland County's small geographic size, exposure to the measles may occur anywhere in Rockland. The outbreak has been centered in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities of Monsey, New Square and Spring Valley, where vaccination rates are low.

County officials have said they know there have been far more cases in the county than have been reported.

SEE: Measles Outbreak: Reaching Hasidic Moms Afraid Of Vaccines

The Health Department is actively working to contain the further spread of measles, and officials ask:

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

Residents can get more information about measles by visiting Rockland County Department of Health's measles webpage at https://bit.ly/2zh4v1G and the New York State Department of Health measles webpage at https://on.ny.gov/2J543b5, and by calling the New York State Department of Health toll free Measles Information Line at (888) 364-4837.