The city redoubles efforts to ensure measles immunization before P

With Passover now in a week, the city continues to intensify its efforts to ensure that people receive the measles vaccine.

The city declared a public health emergency earlier this week, with figures still worrisome in some parts of the borough.

Despite the large number of people, officials say it appears that some of the city's outreach efforts are paying off. Some health professionals say they see changes in the community. Many parents, who were previously on the fence, come to vaccinate their children.

By April 8, the city reported 285 confirmed cases, including an alarming number in Brooklyn. 228 cases were reported in Williamsburg only.

Officials encourage everyone to get vaccinated as the Jewish Passover holiday approaches, when people travel a lot and spend time with their extended family.

MORE: Professor: End the religious exemption for vaccinations amid a "health crisis"

Given the epidemic, a professor at the CUNY Graduate Center at Brooklyn College is asking the state to pass a bill in front of the state assembly that would end the religious exemption for mandatory vaccinations.

He says the bill is constitutional because the Supreme Court ruled in a previous case in 1944 that the right to practice one's religion freely did not include the freedom to expose the community to illness. He says that no major religion supports the anti-vaccine movement, and that the information disseminated by those who oppose vaccination is based on false scientific data.

In New York, parents may request a personal religious exemption based on their personal beliefs about immunization.

For those who are not vaccinated during the public health emergency or who can not provide any evidence of immunity, they face a $ 1,000 fine.