Home » News » New York makes vaccination compulsory in the face of measles epidemic

New York makes vaccination compulsory in the face of measles epidemic

The mayor of New York is making the measles vaccine mandatory in areas of the city affected by a resurgence of this disease. Violators will be subject to fines and criminal prosecution.

A state of health emergency is declared in this district of New York. City Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered on April 9, 2019 that unvaccinated residents of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, be forced to receive the measles vaccine. All individuals “may have been exposed to measles“will have to be vaccinated, under penalty of criminal prosecution and a fine of 1,000 dollars (approximately 890 euros).

The goal: to try to stem a rdisease outbreak. Since October 2018, 285 cases of measles have indeed been recorded in New York while the disease had almost disappeared in the United States, with only 86 patients in the whole country in 2016, including two in New York, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Jewish community involved in the resurgence

This resurgence observed in many Western countries is directly linked to the rise of anti-vaccination movements. These are particularly present in religious communities, such as the Orthodox Jewish community in New York, although neither religious texts nor the Jewish authorities in New York advise against vaccination.
Until now, New York State required a series of vaccinations to enter the school system but granted exemptions for religious reasons.
From now on, daycare centers intended for the Orthodox Jewish community as well as yeshivas, Talmudic schools, which would accept unvaccinated children would be liable to criminal prosecution and even administrative closure.

Read also : Vaccination: religious movements at the origin of mistrust against vaccines

Vaccinate to protect yourself and others

It was time to switch to a more muscular approach“, estimated Bill de Blasio specifying that the vaccine would be available free of charge for families not having the means to pay. He also assured that the situation could”be resolved quickly“and that it was possible to”stop“to the epidemic.

Herminia Palacio, Deputy Mayor for Health and Doctor, added: “When you choose not to have your child vaccinated, keep in mind that you are also making this choice for the people around them.“In fact, the vaccine protects both the person who receives it and the people they work with, and in particular those who suffer from chronic diseases and who cannot themselves be vaccinated.

As a father, I know how much parents want their children to be safe and healthy. Don’t take that risk. If your child is not vaccinated against measles, get him vaccinated today. NYCHealthy (New York City health authorities, editor’s note) is ready to provide free vaccination.

The municipality also recalled that measles was a very contagious disease, for which there was no curative treatment and which could cause medical complications, even death. To justify the refusal of vaccines, the movement “anti-vax“Often mentions the fear of an increased risk of autism, when this risk is not supported by any evidence and all scientific studies on the subject have shown that there is no link between the two.”There is no room for misinformation when it comes to protecting our children. Vaccines are safe and effective. They work“recalled Bill de Blasio.

Read also : No, the measles vaccine does not cause autism

Authorities in Rockland, a county north of New York that has become another major source of measles, announced on March 26 prohibit schools and public places for unvaccinated minors. But a judge suspended the ban on April 5, after it was seized by a dozen parents at a county school.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.