Nassau County To Parents: Get Your Kids A Measles Vaccine

With measles outbreaks in other parts of New York, Nassau County officials on Thursday encouraged parents to get their children vaccinated.

Both the Hudson Valley and part of New York City are currently experiences measles outbreaks. Since December, there have been 450 confirmed cases in the region. Thankfully, there have been none in Nassau.

“Recognizing that New York City has declared a public health emergency, we want to urge residents to be aware of symptoms and take precautions in advance of upcoming holiday travel,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “The health and safety of our residents is top priority. While there hasn’t been a case in Nassau County since 2013, I want to urge residents to get vaccinated. The measles vaccine works. It is time-tested, safe and effective against this potentially fatal and easily spread disease.”

One of the reasons Nassau hasn't had a case of the measles in years is the high vaccination rates, Curran said. According to the county, 98.96 percent of students in public schools are vaccinated, as well as 97.37 percent in private schools. Religious exemptions were given to 0.664 percent of public school students and 1.84 percent of private school students.

“We have been very vigilant, and we are monitoring the situation closely. The measles vaccine is safe and has been available for more than 50 years,” said Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Larry Eisenstein. “Vaccination is the best way to prevent measles. Anyone who has received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine is highly unlikely to contract the disease. If you’re unsure if you’re protected, check with your healthcare provider or visit NUMC clinics or Long Island Federally Qualified Centers.”

Residents can get the vaccine from their doctors or they can visit the NUMC Primary Care Clinic located at 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, NY 11554. Vaccines will also be provided at the Long Island Federally Qualified Centers listed below. Immunizations will be provided to anyone that visits these facilities whether or not they have health insurance.

Nassau’s Long Island Federally Qualified Centers:

• Elmont Family Health Center - 161 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont
• Hempstead Family Health Center - 135 Main St., Hempstead
• Freeport-South Ocean Care Family Health Center - 101 South Bergen Place, Freeport
• Oceanside Family Health Center - 3227 Long Beach Road Suite 2,Oceanside
• Roosevelt Family Health Center - 380 Nassau Road, Roosevelt
• Westbury Family Health Center - 682 Union Ave., Westbury

The symptoms of measles generally appear about seven to 14 days after a person is infected. Measles typically begins with a high fever, and several days later a characteristic rash appears on the face and then spreads over the body. Among serious complications, one in 20 patients get pneumonia, and one in 1,000 get brain swelling that can lead to seizures, deafness or intellectual disability. According to the CDC, approximately one in every 1,000 children who get measles dies.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads to others through coughing and sneezing. The measles virus can live for up to two hours in the air where an infected person coughed or sneezed. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses or mouths, they can become infected.

Residents with concerns can call Nassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9697 or call their healthcare provider.