New York Governor Kathy Hochul has officially declared a state of emergency due to a measles outbreak, marking the first time a U.S. state has made such a declaration since a surge in cases in 2025.
As the number of measles cases continues to rise in rural communities, the state has expanded the healthcare professionals authorized to administer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of preventing vaccine-preventable diseases, stating that no one should suffer severe illness or death due to such diseases.
According to an executive order, New York has recorded 108 measles cases this year as of October 3, with a significant increase since July 15 in under-immunized rural areas across 18 counties. The governor’s office reported seven cases in New York City and 101 cases elsewhere in the state, with over 1,000 MMR doses administered by local health departments in rural regions since mid-July.
In neighboring Pennsylvania, a rapidly spreading outbreak has resulted in 977 cases and five deaths as of October 2, primarily affecting rural counties bordering New York, making it the largest state outbreak in over three decades.
The U.S. has experienced its worst measles year since 1991, with nearly 3,900 reported cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The emergency declaration permits registered nurses to order tests for suspected measles and allows pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as two. It also mandates the reporting of all MMR vaccinations to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours, with consent requirements waived for adult reporting. However, vaccination itself still necessitates patient or guardian consent. The emergency measures are effective from Monday through November 4.