Assembly member Dinowitz on measles death

Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz said in his Nov. 4 newsletter that New York State experienced its first measles death in three decades when an unvaccinated child recently died after contracting measles.

“This should have never happened,” Assembly member Dinowitz said. “My heart goes out to the family of this child. I urge all parents to make sure their children get all of their required vaccinations to ensure their children and families are protected.”

The New York State Department of Health issued a statement Nov. 2 that said the child was from Lewis County. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency a month prior to the child’s death in response to the measles outbreak in parts of New York, the department said, adding it encourages New Yorkers to make sure they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella vaccines.