As Measles Cases Reach Historic High Across The Country, Hoylman Pushes for End to Non-Medical Exemption Loophole Across New York

ALBANY, NY - Senator Brad Hoylman (D/WF-Manhattan), released the following statement urging the New York State legislature to act on Senator Hoylman and Assemblymember Dinowitz’s legislation (S2994/A2371) to end the non-medical exemption loophole for vaccines. This comes in light of updated data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released today, confirming 971 cases of measles across the United States.

Senator Hoylman said: "We're not even halfway through 2019 and the CDC has confirmed 971 cases of measles across the United States—the highest number in nearly 30 years. The CDC estimates that 1-2 deaths occur per 1000 cases.

We must act before a tragedy occurs.

Kids across New York State who are fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases are now having to choose between going to school and exposing themselves to vaccine-preventable illnesses that could kill them. That’s appalling, and unfair. They deserve better from New York.

It’s time for us to look at the data, stand up to the antivaxxers, and follow the example of California and Maine by ending non-medical exemptions to vaccination immediately.  Every second we wait to pass the legislation I carry with Assemblymember Dinowitz poses another grave risk to the health and safety of vulnerable and immune-compromised New Yorkers. We cannot afford to wait.”

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