ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Three children are being treated for measles at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. The children did not contract the virus in Monroe County but were transported here for care.
“There are outbreaks in several states, and the country has reported more measles cases in 2026 than in any year since 1991,” says Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown, the Monroe County Public Health Commissioner.
There are now 108 confirmed cases across statewide, with three of those in children being treated at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
“We’ve been working with our affiliates in other hospitals. There is strong communication when patients are identified and need care that can only be provided in Rochester. That has helped us prevent exposures in the hospitals and to be ready to take care of the patients and we obviously have the pediatric experts in infectious disease to care for such patients,” says Dr. Michael Apostolakos, the chief medical officer at Strong and Highland hospitals.
Strict containment protocols are in place at the hospital, but doctors said the bigger risk of exposure happens before patients arrive for treatment.
“Most patients that have measles do not require admission to the hospital, it’s generally not an emergency so, I want to emphasize that if anybody thinks they may have measles or been exposed to measles, please call your primary care provider find out where the best place to get tested is because coming to a busy emergency room with possible measles is not the best for either the patient or for people who are in the emergency room who may be exposed,” Dr. Apostolakos says.
Dr. Vélez de Brown reminds people about the risk, “you could be in a public place and have no way of knowing that someone nearby has measles because people can spread the disease before that signature rash appears and before they realize they’re sick.”
Vaccine information for children:
- First dose: Given at 12 to 15 months of age. (Dr. Vélez de Brown suggests parents with children older than 6 months talk with their pediatrician about getting an early first dose)
- Second dose: Given at 4 to 6 years of age but can be given earlier if at least 28 days have passed since the first dose.
Vaccine information for adults:
All adults born later than 1957 should have at least 1 documented dose of the MMR vaccine.
If you received the vaccine between 1963 and 1967, doctors suggest you get revaccinated with at least one dose of the live MMR vaccine.
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