New York Measles Emergency Ends 4 November: 108 Cases Reported, Most Unvaccinated
New York's measles disaster emergency is due to end on 4 November, a month after Governor Kathy Hochul put it into effect. As of 3 October the state had recorded 108 measles cases in 2026, including 92 since 15 July among under-immunised rural communities in 18 counties.
Seven were in New York City and 101 elsewhere. Officials say those falling ill are largely without the MMR jab.
Measles Disaster Emergency Runs to 4 November
Executive Order No. 65 took effect on Monday 5 October and runs statewide until 4 November unless extended. Hochul said no one should become seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease.
Local departments have given more than 1,000 MMR doses in rural areas since 15 July. The year's total is already more than double the 48 cases recorded in 2025. Pharmacists may now vaccinate children as young as two, and every dose must be entered in the state or city registry within 72 hours.
Adult consent for that reporting is waived, though the shot itself still needs the patient or a guardian's agreement. Infections are concentrated in Otsego, Seneca and Steuben, and ordinary purchasing rules are suspended so agencies can secure supplies faster.
Nationally, the CDC had logged nearly 3,900 cases by early October, the country's worst measles year since 1991.
Most Cases Linked To Under-Immunised Communities
The 108 cases have been concentrated in communities with low immunisation rates. The order places 92 of them, since mid-July, in under-immunised rural communities, and officials say those becoming sick are largely unvaccinated.
Health officials say about one in five people who contract measles in the US are hospitalised. Otsego has the most cases, followed by Seneca and Steuben.
The order says measles infects about 90 per cent of non-immune people who are exposed and describes MMR vaccination as the most effective way to prevent infection. It also cites pneumonia in about one in 20 infected children and death in about one to three in 1,000 children with measles. Neighbouring Pennsylvania's outbreak continues on the border, with later tallies already past 1,000 cases.
Who May Now Give the Jab
The emergency also widens who may vaccinate and test. Paramedics and advanced providers may give MMR under a non-patient-specific order. Midwives may vaccinate under medical supervision. Pharmacists may vaccinate children aged two and older.
Nurses may order measles testing. Every dose must be reported to immunisation registries within 72 hours. Consent rules for that reporting are suspended for adults aged 19 and over, though the jab itself still needs consent from the patient or a guardian.
The CDC had logged 3,887 confirmed US cases by 1 October, against 2,289 in 2025. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. Authorities still cite coverage near 95 per cent as the level needed to stop sustained spread.
The measles disaster emergency remains in force through 4 November. For households, health officials urge people to check that their MMR vaccinations are up to date and contact a healthcare provider if they develop symptoms after a possible exposure.