Licensed in 1963, the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine brought down infection rates worldwide with the elimination of measles in the US officially announced in 2000. Due to inconsistent vaccination rates of children in recent years, an increase in cases has been reported. In 2020, MMR vaccinations decreased by 63% in children and 91% in children over two years old.
New York is at a high risk for infectious diseases, given its densely polluted neighborhoods and the large amount of people moving through the city. The implications of decreased vaccination has been made apparent in New York City, which experienced the largest measles outbreak in the US since the 1990s, originated from an international traveler.
The group’s disaster plan for the New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH) focuses on measles vaccination campaigns to prevent future outbreaks and epidemics in NYC. The plan introduces preventative measures, details instructions on responsive actions during an infection, and outlines effective methods of vaccination and treatment.