Free Measles Vaccine Clinic Wednesday In Rockland

NEW CITY, NY — Rockland County residents can get a free measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. County officials will hold another clinic from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center, 110 Bethune Blvd., Spring Valley.

The local measles outbreak, now four months old, has reached 130 confirmed cases. By far, most people who caught the virus were unvaccinated, said Communications Director John Lyon. For Rockland's confirmed measles cases:

• 82 percent had had 0 MMRs
• 3 percent had had 1 MMR
• 5 percent had had 2 MMRs
• 10 percent unknown status

The best way to prevent measles is to remain up-to-date with your measles vaccination, Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said.

The Health Department will be offering non-immune individuals, 6 months of age and older, one dose of MMR vaccine.

"We continue to encourage everyone to be up-to-date with the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine to help protect them in case of any future exposure to measles in Rockland. Measles is highly contagious, so ANYONE who is not protected against measles is at risk of getting the disease, and they may spread measles to people who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health conditions," said Dr. Ruppert.

Measles is caused by a virus that is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions of infected people. Measles can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children, as it can lead to pneumonia, brain damage, deafness, and death. Others who are at high risk for complications if they get the measles include pregnant women who are not immune, as well as those who are immunocompromised or immunosuppressed (when your body can't fight disease). About one out of four people who get measles will be hospitalized.

While this outbreak began due to visits between un-vaccinated members of Orthodox Jewish communities in Rockland and Israel, there are outbreaks elsewhere in the USA and around the globe.

Asked about religious exemptions as the outbreak started, Dr. Ruppert said, "I've met with the rabbis. I have asked them directly if there's a religious reason why people should not be vaccinated and the answer is 'no.'"

More information about measles, the outbreak, and where you can get an MMR vaccine is available by visiting Rockland County Department of Health's webpage and by calling the New York State Department of Health toll free Measles Information Line at (888) 364-4837.

SEE:

• National Measles Outbreak: NY County Reaches 130 Cases
  
• Measles Outbreak: Officials Vaccinate 47 At Palisades Center
  

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