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What happened
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency due to a measles outbreak in the state. As of Saturday, there were 108 reported cases of measles in New York. The declaration is aimed at increasing monitoring and vaccination efforts to combat the disease.
The state's health department has already administered over 1,000 doses of the MMR vaccine since July 15, particularly in rural areas. A Measles Dashboard has also been created to provide updates on the outbreak.
According to Governor Hochul, the executive order will enable the state to respond more swiftly to the outbreak and allow healthcare professionals to take additional steps to get more New Yorkers vaccinated and tested. The order also expands the list of authorized personnel who can administer the vaccine, including paramedics, pharmacists, and midwives.
The New York State Department of Health Commissioner, Dr. James McDonald, has urged New Yorkers to check their vaccination status and ensure that they and their families are protected. The MMR vaccine is considered the best protection against measles, with nearly all people who receive the recommended doses being protected against the disease.
