ROCHESTER, N.Y. — New York has declared a statewide disaster emergency due to a surge in measles cases, with more than 100 reported in the state and nearly 1,000 in Pennsylvania where five people have died.
Chief Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean of News10NBC obtained a copy of the emergency order. The order allows paramedics and EMTs to give measles vaccines, but some ambulance crews do not have doses yet.
“I want to protect my child”
A three-year-old boy at Geneva Medical Center received his flu and measles shots as News10NBC went inside the exam room. “I wanted to protect my child and other children and be as safe as possible,” Thomas DiCostanzo said.
Dr. Steven Schulz, a pediatrician with Rochester Regional Health in Geneva, said there are cases locally. “So I know there are cases locally,” Schulz said. There are four cases in Ontario County and dozens in neighboring counties.
Option to get MMR early
“So I am letting them know it’s in the community and because of that they do have the option to get early measles mumps rubella vaccines if they so choose,” Schulz said. “There are some that are definitely interested and asking for it,” Schulz said.
Brean met Jonathan Smith, chief of Pittsford Ambulance, whose medics are trained to give vaccines but do not have any doses. “That’s not something we would carry on the ambulance on a normal basis,” Smith said. When asked if they will get doses to administer, Smith said, “Unknown.”
In Monroe County, 99 percent of children are vaccinated against measles. “So even if could receive that vaccine and have the ability to administer it, it’s not clear yet what effectiveness that would have,” Smith said.
The state order said the problem starts in “under-immunized rural communities” and will remain in effect until Nov. 4.
News10NBC will continue to follow the story as the situation develops.
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