Following the events of Measles outbreak 2019 in NYC, Bill de Blasio, mayor of New York City, declared in a press conference that the city is officially under a public health crisis. In the last few months, the Williamsburg area has reported 300 new cases of measles.
As a result, the government has been forced to intervene. Citizens have been ordered to get vaccinated against Measles with immediate effect, and the failure to follow the orders will result in a $1000 fine.
De Blasio took to Twitter to reinforce the importance of vaccines. He said,
“Vaccines are safe and effective – and they work.”
The city has ceaselessly worked over the past year to raise awareness about Measles vaccinations. The mandatory orders came after people stubbornly refused to get vaccinations for themselves and their kids.
List of most active areas released
Zip codes 11205, 11206, 11211, and 11249 have been reported to be the most active areas of measles outbreak 2019 in NYC. This list of areas was released on the official government website by the order of the Commissioner.
The order reiterated that since the prevention of the spread of communicable diseases is the responsibility of the city, parents and guardians of kids under the age of six months are commanded to take them to nearest hospitals and clinics to get the MMR vaccine within 48 hours from the release of the order.
Measles Outbreak 2019: Failure to comply may lead to a penalty, fines
The document warns citizens that failure to follow the orders will be counted as a violation of the Health Code, and anybody who does not comply will face criminal and civil fines, forfeitures, penalties, and prison.
Dr. Oxiris Barbot, New York City Health Commissioner, said that the objective of the order is to make MMR vaccine easily available to people, not fine or penalize anyone. Those who refuse to obey to get the Measles vaccine even during the outbreak will be handled one by one after consulting with the legal team.
