New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency after recording 108 measles cases this year, joining a widening U.S. resurgence. The executive order expands vaccine administration rights to pharmacists, midwives, and paramedics through November 4 as rural counties battle under-immunization.
New York state declared a disaster emergency over an outbreak of measles, marking the first such statewide order since cases began ticking upward in 2025. Governor Kathy Hochul issued the executive order following a review of case data showing 108 confirmed infections across the state as of October 3. Seven of those cases occurred in New York City, while the remaining 101 were reported elsewhere in the state.
The emergency declaration remains in effect through November 4 and gives state health officials broader authority to contain the transmission. State data shows that 92 of the cases recorded since July 15 are concentrated in under-immunized rural communities across 18 counties. Otsego County in Central New York holds the highest count in the state with 20 infections since January.
Governor Hochul Expands Vaccine Access and Testing Authority
Under the terms of the executive order, New York has widened the pool of professionals authorized to administer the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Paramedics, advanced EMS providers, pharmacists, and midwives can now deliver the shots alongside physicians, while registered nurses gain the ability to order diagnostic testing for suspected cases.
State health authorities are providing epidemiological support to local departments, conducting contact tracing, and expediting laboratory testing. Local health departments have administered over 1,000 doses of the MMR vaccine across rural parts of the state since mid-July.
“No one should get seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease. 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.”
Governor Kathy Hochul, via Aljazeera
Low Vaccination Rates Drive Domestic Outbreaks
Public health experts attribute the broader domestic outbreak to a decline in vaccination rates below the 95 percent threshold required to maintain community herd immunity. Gustavo Rivera pointed to misinformation surrounding childhood immunizations as a primary driver of the public health emergency.
Neighboring Pennsylvania has reported more than 1,000 cases this year, representing the worst outbreak in that state in three decades. Lancaster County alone accounted for 391 cases, and state health officials confirmed five deaths. Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 3,887 confirmed cases as of October 1, 2026, marking the country’s worst measles year since 1991.
Dr. Stephen Thomas, an immunologist at Upstate Medical Center, noted that measles is one of the most infectious diseases on the planet. Dr. Jana Shaw, associate professor of pediatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University, expressed frustration over low vaccination rates in nearby counties, where Cayuga is at 85.7 percent, Madison at 82.9 percent, and Cortland at 83.4 percent among two-year-olds, compared to Onondaga County’s 87.8 percent.
Ashley Waite, Lewis County public health director, noted that all 11 confirmed cases in Lewis County are located within the single town of Lowville, affecting both related and unrelated adults and children who are all unvaccinated and do not attend public schools.
Health Officials Review Measles Free Status
International health officials from the Pan American Health Organization are scheduled to meet in November to review whether the United States and Mexico will retain their measles-free status, which the U.S. originally achieved in 2000 through sustained high vaccination coverage.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald urged residents to verify their immunization status and instructed health providers to monitor patients for symptoms, which include high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a characteristic rash appearing seven to ten days after exposure. Officials advised anyone developing symptoms to call a healthcare provider before visiting a clinic so infection-control protocols can be established.
Individuals who are unsure of their immunization records, those who received an inactivated measles vaccine between 1963 and 1967, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems should consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding potential vaccination or booster guidance.
