Officials in Rockland County, New York have provided an update on the emergency declaration announced earlier this week due to a measles outbreak.
The declaration, which started Wednesday, says anyone who is under 18 years of age and is unvaccinated against the measles will be barred from public places until the declaration expires in 30 days or until they receive at least their first shot of MMR, the vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella. County Executive Ed Day says nearly 500 more MMR shots have been given since the state of emergency was declared.
“The goal here is to get as many people immunized as possible,” Day said during a press conference Friday. “We want people to enjoy the upcoming Holy Days in the both the Christian and Jewish faith.”
The county says there are now 157 confirmed measles cases including public exposures such as Uber and taxi rides as well as a supermarket. The outbreak started in October.
