New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency on Monday as the state reported 108 measles cases this year, with 92 cases since mid-July. The declaration follows a surge in measles cases in neighboring Pennsylvania, which has recorded 977 cases and five deaths as of Oct. 2.
New York’s emergency order expands vaccine administration capabilities and testing requirements to curb the spread. The order, effective until Nov. 4, allows pharmacists to vaccinate children as young as age 2 with the MMR vaccine and authorizes registered nurses to order tests for suspected cases. It also permits paramedics, advanced EMS providers, midwives, and pharmacists to administer vaccines, previously restricted to physicians and nurses.
The order requires all MMR vaccinations to be reported to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours, with adults’ consent waived for such reporting. Since July 15, New York health departments have administered over 1,000 MMR vaccine doses in rural areas and launched a Measles Dashboard to track the outbreak.
Measles symptoms include high fever (up to 104°F), cough, runny nose, red watery eyes, and a rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that 95% of U.S. measles cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
The emergency declaration marks the first state-level measles emergency order since cases began rising in 2025. The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles year since 1991, with nearly 3,900 cases reported, according to the CDC.
Pennsylvania’s outbreak has centered in rural, under-immunized communities, with health officials warning travelers at Philadelphia International Airport may have been exposed. New York’s cases are spread across 18 rural counties, where community vaccination rates remain low.
Health officials emphasize that the MMR vaccine is the only reliable prevention method for measles. The emergency measures aim to increase vaccination access and strengthen monitoring to prevent further spread. Local health departments are collaborating with state and regional partners to address the outbreak.