Measles outbreak: City declares public health emergency with 285 confirmed cases
Mayor orders mandatory vaccinations in Williamsburg
New York City declared a public health emergency Tuesday morning, ordering mandatory measles vaccinations for residents in parts of Williamsburg as the number of confirmed cases for the infection rose to 285 since Sept. 30.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said individuals and parents who ignore the order will be fined up to $1,000 and that “disease detectives” would question them. The outbreak is primarily affecting the Orthodox Jewish community.
“Our goal is not to fine people or shut down schools,” de Blasio said. “Our goal is to vaccinate people. We have the tools available now because of this emergency order to fine — and fine very substantially. But if people just go and get vaccinated, there is no need for a fine.”
“If people ignore our order,” he added, “We will issue fines.”