Community Organizations Collaborate to Provide Free Measles Vaccinations to Affected NYC Areas

Agudath Israel of America, in conjunction with Hatzolah and other community organizations and health care providers, is pursuing a coordinated, community-wide effort in New York City to make measles vaccinations available. In light of the ongoing outbreak, vaccinations will be made available with no fee, appointment, or insurance required. The events will take place simultaneously at Hatzolah garages in Borough Park, Flatbush, and Williamsburg on Sunday, May 12th, from 3 PM until 9 PM.

A component of this effort is to inform. The CDC and NYC Department of Health are now recommending that infants in outbreak areas receive their first MMR vaccination at 6 months old and receive the second dose at an accelerated schedule prior to 4 years old, to ensure they are protected. Also, those born between 1957 and 1989, when medical practice was to administer only one MMR dose, may not be protected. It is recommended that such individuals either perform a blood test to determine immunity status or simply receive a second dose. Individuals may speak to your doctor for specific guidance.

The immunocompromised, expecting (or those who might be), highly allergic, and those who recently received blood transfusions or other vaccines, should ask their doctor prior to vaccinating. The Agudah thanks the Hatzolahs of Borough Park, Flatbush, and Williamsburg; Boro Park Jewish Community Council; Flatbush Jewish Community Council; United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg (UJO); Maimonides Medical Center, NYU Langone Health, and the New York Community Hospital for partnering to make this endeavor happen.

In a related matter, the NYC Health Department today served closure orders to a child care center in Williamsburg because the center failed to comply with an Order of the Health Commissioner in response to the current measles outbreak. This site will not be allowed to reopen until staff can demonstrate to the Health Department that they comply with the order.

The Health Department is working with parents to find alternative care for the children that attended the program.

The Health Department will continue to conduct audits of schools to ensure these centers have comprehensive attendance and immunization records, and that they’re properly excluding.

Locations for vaccination:

Hatzolah of Boro Park

3701 14th Ave

Hatzoloh of Williamsburg

518 Park Ave

Hatzoloh of Flatbush

1880 Ocean Ave

Relatedly, Achiezer and Hatzalah of Nassau County, JCCRP, YIW, Kamin Health, Mount Sinai, and South Nassau Communities Hospital have partnered to offer measles immunity status testing in Woodmere to anyone appropriate for testing:

YIW

859 Peninsula Blvd, Woodmere, NY 11598

Sunday, May 12th 10AM – 2PM