Rockland Urges Residents To Get Immunized Against Measles

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY —County officials issued an advisory urging residents to stay protected from measles as cases continue to surface across the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control reports 58 cases this year so far. SEE: Measles Reported In NY, 16 Other States In Global Uptick: CDC Advisory

Most of the cases involved infants and toddlers who haven’t received the measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR, vaccinations, according to the CDC; and 93 percent were linked to international travel.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses on earth with 90 percent of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus becoming infected.

The longest-running measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 was in Rockland County in 2018-19.

Rockland has by far the lowest vaccination rate in New York State, according to the NY Department of Health, with only 54.4 percent of kindergarteners having received their MMR shots compared to a statewide rate of 97.9 percent.

“To successfully prevent measles from resurfacing in this county we need cooperation from all communities,” County Executive Ed Day said Friday. “I implore our residents to ensure they are immune to measles or get vaccinated immediately if needed.”

Rockland County Department of Health officials said its Immunization Action Program is in regular communication with the New York State Department of Health to ensure on vaccine compliance with the NYSDOH Immunization requirements for school entrance/attendance.

RCDOH’s IAP has also upped school audit efforts in the 2023-24 year.

Of 32 public and private schools whose student immunization records were audited, 9 were fully compliant, 19 sites became compliant within two weeks of the audit, and 3 sites are in process and pending follow-up, officials said.

One site was referred to the New York State Department of Health for further action following continued noncompliance after follow-up.

Of 18 daycares audited, 7 were fully compliant, 10 became compliant within two weeks of the audit, and one site is currently pending follow-up.

The RCDOH additionally acquired a mobile vaccination unit through grant funds in addition to an inflatable 2-lane trailer that will both be utilized for vaccinations. RCDOH also added two additional clinic days to its regular schedule at the Pomona Health Complex and added a vaccination site at the Spring Valley Clinic.

This has resulted in a 50 percent increase in clinic visits in 2023 compared to 2021, and a 30 percent increase compared to 2022, health department officials said. The Rockland County Health Department is committed to continuing these robust efforts to increase immunization coverage in the county to protect the health of all residents.

Ways you can catch measles include:

• Being in the same room with a person with measles.
• Up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves a room.
• An infected person can be contagious before a measles rash surfaces.

Symptoms include a fever, rash, cough, conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes), or runny nose and usually appear 10-12 days after exposure but may appear as early as 7 days and as late as 21 days after exposure.

Rockland County health officials recommend:

• All children should receive an MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age. A second dose is routinely given at 4 to 6 years of age but may be given as soon as 28 days after the first dose.
• Adults who have had only one dose of vaccine in the past are recommended to get a second dose of vaccine for the best protection.
• Adults who are unsure of their immunization status may try to get their immunization records OR discuss testing for immunity with their physician.
• Anyone who travels internationally should have two doses of MMR vaccine.
• Children 6 to 11 months of age who are travelling outside the U.S. should receive one dose of MMR prior to international travel.

Visit the Rockland County Department of Health measles webpage for more information about the disease. For an appointment or more information regarding RCDOH immunization clinics call 845-364-2520.