Free MMR vaccines follow measles state of emergency in Rockland

Free MMR shots were offered to community members in Rockland County following a state of emergency due to a measles outbreak.

News 12 Staff

Mar 26, 2019, 4:00 PM

Updated 2,098 days ago

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Free MMR vaccines follow measles state of emergency in Rockland
Free MMR shots were offered to community members in Rockland County following a state of emergency due to a measles outbreak.
The measure went into effect at 12 a.m. Wednesday.
The Pomona Health Complex was prepped and ready Wednesday afternoon for any unvaccinated person looking to escape the rules of the declaration.
Anyone under the age of 18 without an MMR vaccine is banned from entering public places for 30 days. Those found in violation could face legal consequences. County officials say the only exemption from vaccinations are people who cannot receive it for medical reasons.
The announcement comes nearly six months after the first measles case was reported in the county.  As of Tuesday, there were 153 confirmed cases, with 84 percent of the people infected under the age of 18. In less than 24 hours, the number of confirmed cases went up to 155. A total of 30 MMR shots were given out during Wednesday’s clinic.

The first cases were reported back in October, with unvaccinated travelers visiting ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic communities in New Square and Monsey.               
Rockland County Executive Ed Day says parents will be held accountable if they are found to be in violation of the state of emergency. They could be subject to a $500 fine or even jail time.
A spokesperson for the county executive said they don't anticipate having to do that.
"We don't want to fine anyone, we don't want to put anyone in jail. We just want people to comply with the order. We want them to get vaccinated,” says Rockland County spokesperson John Lyon.