Sunset Park Gives Free Vaccines As Measles Spread In Neighborhood

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — Local councilmen and health officials are partnering to give free measles vaccinations on Wednesday to residents in Sunset Park, where the number of cases rose to double digits last week.

Most of the 535 cases in a measles outbreak that has plagued Brooklyn's Orthodox Jewish Community since October are still contained to Williamsburg, where residents have been under an emergency orderto get vaccinated since April 9, health officials said last week.

But, the number of cases have also continued to rise this month in other neighborhoods, like Sunset Park. The neighborhood has 12 confirmed cases of the disease as of last week, up from just four earlier this month.

And while that number is not likely to become as big of a problem as communities that have resisted getting vaccinated, health officials are still urging those who aren't vaccinated yet to do so.

“Given the high vaccination rates in Sunset Park, we do not foresee sustained transmission in this neighborhood," Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot said. "However, measles is extremely contagious, and I strongly urge unvaccinated New Yorkers to immediately get the vaccine, unless there is a medical condition that prevents them from doing so. All New Yorkers should get vaccinated or confirm their immunity status with their doctor."

Councilman Carlos Menchaca, NYU Langone and the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will be hosting a vaccine event in at St. Michael's Church, 352 42nd Street, from 12 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday. NYU Langone's Family Health Center will give out the free vaccines to adults who are uninsured or whose insurance plan doesn't cover it, regardless of their immigration status, Menchaca's office said.

“I encourage everyone to check their vaccination history with their doctor and, if necessary, to join us...to receive a free vaccination against measles,” Menchaca said. “I want everyone in the district to know that my top priority is to protect the health and well-being of our residents and their children.”

The health department has scaled up its outreach in Sunset Park recently in all three of its commonly spoken languages of English, Spanish and Chinese, Menchaca added.

All 12 cases in Sunset Park are among those who do not identify as part of the Orthodox Jewish community, health officials said.

About 78 percent of the 535 cases confirmed by last week in New York City were in the Williamsburg zip codes under the emergency order. As of last week, the health department has given out 122 summonses to people in these zip codes for not complying with the order, which requires they get vaccinated or face a $1,000 fine.

There have been 40 hospitalizations and 11 admissions to the ICU due to complications since the outbreak started in October.