The health department closes the Williamsburg school for violating the order during a measles outbreak

588 cases have been confirmed since the beginning of the measles epidemic last October

The Ministry of Health recently announced the closure of a school in Williamsburg for failing to comply with a health commissioner's order in response to the ongoing measles outbreak. The Central UTA Boys Division (762 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg, NY 11249) was closed for failing to exclude staff and students without documentation of their immunity. The school was also penalized by the fact that it did not have a sufficient staff / student ratio and by failing to provide the Department of Health inspectors with timely immunization and attendance records. outsourced. The school will not be allowed to reopen until the Department of Health has reviewed and approved the corrective action plan that has been submitted to address the deficiencies related to compliance with the Commissioner's decision. The Ministry of Health had previously closed nine schools – not including the closed program today – for failing to comply with the commissioner's decision. After submitting a corrective action plan, they were all allowed to reopen under the supervision of the Department of Health.

"School staff, parents, and health care providers must continue to play their part in ending this epidemic," said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. "We have seen our weekly number of cases decrease, but in reality this epidemic is not over yet and the Department of Health will continue to use all the resources and strategies available to us. We urge all who can be vaccinated to do so.

To date, 588 cases of measles have been confirmed since the beginning of the epidemic last October. Williamsburg (postal codes 11205, 11206, 11211, 11249) has been the subject of 437 cases (74%) under an emergency order made on April 9 demanding that those who live or work in these postal codes have been vaccinated against measles. vaccine against mumps and rubella (MMR). A small number of cases have occurred outside these areas but have not, so far, resulted in continued transmission of measles.

Since the April 9 emergency order, 51,124 MMR vaccines have been administered to children from 6 months to 18 years old throughout the city, an increase of 38% over the same period of time. last year. In Williamsburg, 3,844 vaccines were given to children, representing a 99% increase in this area compared to the same period last year.

In addition, 173 people have been summoned for non-compliance with the Emergency Ordinance since the City began issuing summons last week. 68 of them were canceled because the person presented evidence of immunity or was vaccinated. Anyone receiving the summons is entitled to a hearing. If the hearing officer upholds the summons, a fine of $ 1,000 will be imposed. Failure to appear at the hearing or to respond to the notice of meeting will result in a fine of $ 2,000.

To prevent the spread of measles in New York, the Department of Health on April 9 ordered adults and children aged 6 months and older who live, work or go to school under postal codes 11205, 11206, 11211 and 11249 rubella vaccine (MMR) within 48 hours. In case of non-compliance, the Department of Health announced that it would send a civil summons to persons listed in the postal codes concerned who had not been vaccinated by 12 April. For more information, New Yorkers can visit the Ministry of Health's measles page.