New York declares statewide disaster emergency as measles cases reach 108
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency Monday after state officials reported 108 measles cases among New York residents in 2026, including 92 cases reported since July 15 in under-immunized rural communities across 18 counties.
Executive Order No. 65 took effect October 5 and runs through November 4, 2026. It does not require residents to receive an MMR vaccine. Instead, it temporarily expands who may administer the vaccine, gives registered nurses authority to order specified measles specimen collection and testing, and requires MMR vaccinations to be reported to state or New York City immunization registries within 72 hours.
What changes for MMR vaccination
During the emergency, certified EMT-paramedics and advanced EMS providers may administer MMR vaccines under a non-patient-specific order, including in non-emergency environments and locations, if they first meet conditions established by the state health commissioner.
Midwives may administer MMR vaccines to patients under a non-patient-specific order and the medical supervision of a licensed physician, physician assistant or certified nurse practitioner. A midwife who does not already hold a state certificate to administer immunizing agents must also meet conditions set by the health commissioner.
Pharmacists may administer MMR vaccines to children age 2 and older under a non-patient-specific order. The order makes vaccination permissible under specified conditions; it does not mean every pharmacist, midwife, paramedic or advanced EMS provider will immediately offer the service.
Testing authority expands for registered nurses
The order allows registered nurses to order the collection and testing of throat or nasopharyngeal swab specimens and urine specimens from people suspected of having measles. Nurses may also order the collection and testing of blood specimens for the diagnosis of acute or past measles.
The provision concerns specimen collection and testing. It does not give nurses independent authority to diagnose measles.
Vaccination records must be reported within 72 hours
All MMR vaccinations administered to children and adults during the emergency must be reported to the New York State Immunization Information System, known as NYSIIS, or to New York City’s Citywide Immunization Registry within 72 hours of administration.
The order preserves consent requirements. Nothing in it authorizes vaccinating someone without that person’s consent or the consent of someone legally authorized to provide consent.
Where cases have been reported
As of October 3, state officials reported seven confirmed cases in New York City and 101 elsewhere in New York, for a total of 108 cases in 2026. Officials also said 92 cases reported since July 15 occurred among under-immunized rural communities in 18 counties.
Those figures are a dated surveillance snapshot, not a final annual total. The governor’s announcement said local health departments had administered more than 1,000 MMR doses across rural areas since July 15 while continuing surveillance, case investigation, contact tracing and outreach.
What New Yorkers should do
Residents who are unsure of their vaccination status should contact a health care provider or local health department rather than assume they are protected. The state is urging New Yorkers to make sure they are up to date on measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations.
Measles can begin with fever, cough, a runny nose and red or watery eyes. A rash commonly appears several days later, beginning on the face and spreading across the body. Anyone who may have been exposed or who develops symptoms should call ahead before visiting a clinic, urgent-care center or emergency department so staff can take infection-control precautions.
State and local health departments will continue surveillance, contact tracing, vaccination and testing during the temporary emergency. Unless extended or changed, Executive Order No. 65 expires November 4, 2026.
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