Mandatory Measles Vaccinations Ordered In Brooklyn Neighborhood

The New York City Commissioner of Health yesterday declared a public health emergency and ordered everyone who lives, works or resides in zip codes comprising the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn to be vaccinated against measles unless they already have immunity or are medically exempt (full text of order).  NBC News reports on the order.  The epicenter of the measles outbreak is in the ultra-Orthodox community of Williamsburg. Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced the order. According to a health department release:

Under the mandatory vaccinations, members of the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will check the vaccination records of any individual who may have been in contact with infected patients. Those who have not received the MMR vaccine or do not have evidence of immunity may be given a violation and could be fined $1,000.

This emergency declaration comes a day after the city health department ordered yeshivas in Brooklyn to exclude all unvaccinated students from classes, or else face possible closure.