New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said Monday that she is declaring a state of emergency over a startling rise in measles cases across the state, signing an executive order she said is meant to help New York respond more quickly to the outbreak.
“No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease,” Hochul said in a statement. “That is why I have taken steps to increase the number of health professionals who can vaccinate and test. These emergency measures will protect New Yorkers and support our community partners as they work tirelessly to address the spread of this disease.”
The order suspends some regulations in order to allow paramedics and advanced emergency services providers to administer measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. The state is also updating a measles dashboard meant to help the public and healthcare officials track local health risks.
At least 108 measles cases have been reported among New York state residents this year as of Saturday, according to the order, including seven in New York City. The state also cites neighboring Pennsylvania’s rapidly spreading measles outbreak, which as of Friday has led to 977 cases and five deaths.
The MMR vaccine is extremely safe and effective in preventing a measles infection after two doses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., though, has used his platform to repeatedly fearmonger about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy.