Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency Monday, Oct. 5, after New York's measles cases reached 108 in 2026.
The declaration expands who can give measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines to include paramedics, pharmacists, midwives and advanced EMS providers, as first reported by News 12 Westchester. Pharmacists can now vaccinate children as young as two. Registered nurses gained authority to order measles tests without a physician's sign-off.
The order runs through Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Westchester County does not appear among the 18 counties with confirmed cases. The outbreak is concentrated in rural upstate counties: Otsego County leads with 20 cases, followed by Seneca County with 17 and Steuben County with 14, according to BTPM. But neighboring Rockland County recorded four cases in February, and state health officials have flagged concern about spread from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ontario, Canada.
Pennsylvania's outbreak is far worse. That state has reported 977 cases and five deaths as of Oct. 2, according to Fox News. Nationally, the CDC has confirmed 3,887 cases in 2026, the highest yearly total in 35 years. Nearly 95% involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
What Westchester families should know
New York law requires all children in day care and pre-K through 12th grade to be vaccinated against measles, with no nonmedical exemptions, according to the state Health Department. Parents must show proof of up-to-date vaccinations or a valid medical exemption within 14 days of the first day of school.
Westchester's toddler vaccination rate sits at 81.2%, measuring children who received one MMR dose by age two as of Jan. 1, according to the state immunization registry. That is close to the statewide rate of 80.9% but falls well short of the 95% threshold the CDC says is needed for community-wide protection.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide 97% protection. One dose provides 93%.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known. Up to 90% of unvaccinated people exposed to the virus will catch it, and a person can become infected simply by entering a room an infected person left up to two hours earlier, according to the state Health Department.
How to get vaccinated locally
The Westchester County Department of Health provides the MMR vaccine at no charge to residents who need it for school attendance. Call (914) 995-5800 for an appointment. Families without insurance can reach a health department navigator at (914) 995-6350 for help signing up for coverage.
Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler briefed county legislators on the measles situation on May 20. No Westchester-specific response to the Oct. 5 declaration has been announced.
The emergency order also requires all MMR vaccinations to be reported to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours.
