Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a State Disaster Emergency on Monday, Oct. 5, as New York's confirmed measles count for 2026 reached 108. Most of those infections are outside New York City, in rural upstate communities where fewer children are fully vaccinated. The order lets more health workers give the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and order measles tests.
According to the governor's announcement of the disaster emergency, 92 of those cases have been reported since July 15 among under-immunized, rural communities in 18 counties. For families in those areas, the practical change is access. More types of health workers can now give measles shots, which may mean a closer and faster option than waiting for a pediatrician or county clinic appointment.
