Rockland County declares state of emergency following measles outbreak and unvaccinated bars from public places



[ad_1]

Rockland County, New York (WABC) – Rockland County has declared the state of emergency regarding the ongoing measles outbreak, with the Ed Day Executive announcing that unvaccinated miners will be denied access to public places.

Starting Wednesday, March 27 at midnight, people under the age of 18 who are not vaccinated against measles will be prohibited from entering public places until the expiry of the declaration in 30 days or until they receive the MMR vaccine.

Officials said that the security forces would not be there to request vaccination records, but that if anyone was found in violation of the statement, his case would be returned to the district attorney's office .

Parents will also be held accountable for their children if they are found guilty of an offense in the emergency state.

Officials say that there is NO religious exemption for this and that they are working with local rabbis who are encouraging their members to be vaccinated.

According to health officials, 151 cases of measles have been reported in the country.

Day said that the intention of the state of emergency was not to arrest people, but to educate the community and to obtain compliance .

"It's an opportunity for all members of their community to do what's right," Day said. "We must do everything in our power to end this epidemic and protect the health of those who can not be vaccinated for medical reasons and children too young to be vaccinated."

Day said that he recognized that religious holidays would soon begin, but if people immediately complied with the state of emergency and were vaccinating their children right now, they could still enjoy Easter and Passover with their friends and family.

"We want people to celebrate," he said. "We do not want to see the beginning of this epidemic when we have seen people gather and fall ill last fall, we want everyone to enjoy their friends and family, which is quite difficult. with the specter of measles hovering over their heads. "

High-risk groups include pregnant women, children less than 6 months old, immunocompromised or immunocompromised, those who have not been vaccinated against measles, and those born before 1957 who are immunocompromised.

RELATED: What to Know About Symptoms, Vaccine and Measles Treatment

Health officials say the best way to protect yourself and the community is to stay informed about measles vaccinations, and high immunization rates help protect people who can not be vaccinated because they do not get vaccinated. are too young or have specific health problems.
"We continue to encourage everyone to become familiar with measles, mumps, rubella and rubella (MMR) vaccines to better protect them from future exposure to measles in Rockland," the Commissioner said. Health, Patricia Schnabel Ruppert. "Measles is very contagious, so anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of contracting the disease and can transmit measles to people who can not get vaccinated because they are too young or have specific health problems. "

Free MMR vaccines are available by calling:
– The Rockland County Health Department, at 845-364-2497 or 845-364-2520, must make an appointment to receive a free MMR vaccine at the Pomona Health Complex.
– The Rockland County Department of Health Family Planning Clinic in Spring Valley also provides MMR vaccines by appointment to family planning patients. Patients at the family planning clinic can call 845-364-2531 to make an appointment.

In addition, MMR vaccines are available from local health care providers or by calling a federally qualified health center.

RELATED: Measles outbreak in the Rockland County Health Department

———-
* Follow us on YouTube
* More local news
* Send us a newsletter
* Download the abc7NY app for last minute alerts

Copyright © 2019 WABC-TV. All rights reserved.

[ad_2]

Source link