New York Department of Health · October 6, 2026 · Primary source
October 5, 2026: Governor Hochul Declares State Disaster Emergency in Response to Ongoing Measles Outbreak
Summary
New York Governor Hochul issued an Executive Order on October 5, 2026, declaring a State Disaster Emergency in response to a measles outbreak affecting 108 confirmed cases statewide, including 101 outside New York City. The order expands the pool of authorized vaccine administrators to include paramedics, advanced EMS providers, pharmacists, and midwives, and allows nurses to order testing. The New York State Department of Health is conducting contact tracing, providing epidemiological support, and supplying vaccines to local health departments across 18 rural counties affected since July 15.
What this may mean
The Executive Order immediately expands the scope of practice for paramedics, advanced EMS providers, pharmacists, midwives, and nurses in New York for purposes of measles vaccination and testing, without requiring additional statutory changes. Healthcare providers in New York are directed to report suspected measles cases to local health departments and to follow updated clinical guidance issued by NYSDOH. The order applies statewide for the duration of the declared emergency.
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