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New York City health officials have confirmed two measles cases, linked to the Lower East Side and SoHo, but assured the public that the risk remains extremely low due to high vaccination rates. The city's health department is contacting businesses visited by the patients to ensure others can be tested for the virus.
According to NBC New York, the city's high vaccination rates provide herd immunity, with 93% of the city's two-year-olds vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises travelers to be vaccinated against measles, as the virus is highly contagious and can cause serious complications.
The recent cases serve as a reminder for parents to vaccinate their children after they turn one, despite shifting federal guidelines under the Trump administration. The last major measles outbreak in New York City occurred in 2019, primarily affecting Brooklyn's Orthodox Jewish communities. The NYC Health Department emphasizes the importance of the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective with two doses, to prevent such outbreaks.
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