Effective April 8, the New York City Health Department is calling on all Yeshivas in the city to comply with mandatory exclusions of unvaccinated children or risk fines and/or closure.
According to the Health Department, 285 cases of measles have been confirmed in the city since October, with many of the newer cases being confirmed in the last two months. The vast majority of cases (246) are children under 18.
“Most of these measles cases were unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated individuals,” the statement reported. While no deaths have yet been reported, complications included 21hospitalizations and five admissions to the ICU.
The Health Department is urging those in the Orthodox Jewish community to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to prevent further spread of the virus.
In February 2019, the department expanded vaccination recommendations for providers serving the Orthodox community to include an early extra dose of the MMR vaccine for children between the ages of 6 months to 11 months who live in Williamsburg and Borough Park.
“As a pediatrician, I know the MMR vaccine is safe and effective. This outbreak is being fueled by a small group of anti-vaxxers in these neighborhoods,” Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot said in a statement Monday. “They have been spreading dangerous misinformation based on fake science. “We’ve seen a large increase in the number of people vaccinated in these neighborhoods, but as Passover approaches, we need to do all we can to ensure more people get the vaccine.”
New Yorkers can call 311 to access a list of facilities that can provide MMR vaccinations at low or no cost.
