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The current statewide Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination rate for two-year-olds remains below the 95 percent threshold needed to prevent outbreaks through herd immunity, the New York State Department of Health warned in an advisory issued Thursday, Feb. 27.
The state’s latest campaign includes a public service announcement urging parents to vaccinate their children with the MMR vaccine, which is 97 percent effective at preventing measles after two doses. Declining vaccination rates put communities at risk, the health department said.
The advisory followed the first reported US measles-related death since 2015, after an unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas succumbed to the disease. While only two cases have been reported in New York City so far in 2025, health officials are ramping up outreach efforts to increase immunization rates statewide before an outbreak occurs.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald urged New Yorkers to ensure they and their children are vaccinated against measles, which he described as a serious respiratory disease that can cause high fever, rash, pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death.
“As a pediatrician and the State’s doctor, I want to remind everyone that immunization is safe and the best protection for your children against measles and other potentially deadly diseases,” McDonald said.
Health experts warn that measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world—spreading through coughing, sneezing, and even lingering in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Up to 90 percent of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus will contract measles.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
- Children should receive two doses: The first dose at 12-15 months old, and the second between ages 4-6.
- Unvaccinated adults should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.
- Infants 6-11 months old traveling internationally should receive an early dose to protect against outbreaks abroad.
State health officials urge New Yorkers to check their vaccination records and speak with their healthcare providers if they are unsure about their immunity.
For more information on measles prevention and vaccinations, visit the New York State Department of Health website.
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