In an update on the measles outbreak in Rockland County, New York, health officials are now reporting 68 confirmed cases as of Tuesday. These cases are presently clustered in eastern Ramapo (New Square, Spring Valley, Monsey), however due to Rockland County’s small geographic size, exposure to the measles may occur anywhere in the county.

Image/NYSDOH
Image/NYSDOH

To date, the Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH), Refuah Health Center, and private pediatricians and family doctors have administered over 6,100 doses of MMR vaccine.

A safe and effective measles vaccine that can prevent suffering and death has been available for more than 50 years.

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended for maximum protection. One dose of the MMR vaccines can offer 93% protection from the measles. Two doses of the MMR vaccine can offer 97% protection from the measles. Typically, the first dose of MMR vaccine is given at 12-15 months of age and the second dose is given at four to six years of age (age of school entry), although individuals may also be vaccinated later in life.

Due to a measles outbreak in Rockland County, the Rockland County Department of Health recommends the following:

  • Children 6 months through 11 months of age get an MMR vaccine now. Getting an MMR vaccine now will help give them some protection against measles. They will still have to get a vaccine at 12-15 months of age and again at 4-6 years of age.
  • Children 1 through 3 years of age who have already received their first MMR vaccine should get a second MMR vaccine now, as long as 28 days have passed since the first MMR vaccine was given to them. This second MMR vaccine will count for school entry.
  • Any adult who has not received their first MMR vaccine yet should get their first MMR vaccine now.

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