NYC declares emergency over measles outbreak, mandates vaccinations

Enlarge / A boy smiles as he gets a Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination. (credit: Getty | Robyn Beck)

New York City officials declared a public health emergency Tuesday in parts of the Williamsburg neighborhood, where a measles outbreak has run rampant in an Orthodox Jewish community since last October—largely among unvaccinated children.

As part of the emergency declaration, any unvaccinated people living in affected zip codes who may have been exposed to the highly contagious viral illness will now be required to receive the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine or prove immunity. Violators could face a fine of $1,000, officials said.

So far, there have been 285 cases of measles in the outbreak, 246 of which were in children. Most of the children were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated. The cases led to 21 hospitalizations, including five admissions to intensive care units.