DOH emergency rule looks to prevent measles outbreak
HONOLULU (KHON2) — As Hawaii's measles vaccination rate continues to decline, Department of Health officials are expanding efforts to protect the islands from a measles outbreak.
The DOH said at least 95% of Hawaii's population must be vaccinated to prevent an outbreak, otherwise known as 'herd immunity.'
Two Oahu hospitals receive $10M in grants to expand access to critical cancer care
In hopes of encouraging more vaccinations, DOH officials sent a letter to parents and guardians of Hawaii students, especially those who attend schools with low immunization rates.
The letter outlines DOH's emergency rule, which states that children with a religious exemption can receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.
Students can also be exempt from other vaccines and continue to attend school. The emergency rule is effective for the next four months.
Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news
Pediatrician and state epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble emphasized the need for vaccination as measles is a serious and sometimes fatal disease for keiki.
'At the rate it's spreading, it could easily reach Hawaiʻi on the next plane. The MMR vaccine is our best defense against the measles virus,' Dr. Kemble said.
Parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children immediately. If a measles outbreak were to occur, the department said children without an MMR vaccine may be prohibited from attending school.
All updates to a child's vaccination record should be reported to their school.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
The DOH is looking to hold on-site vaccination clinics. In the meantime, parents and staff can access vaccines through the child's healthcare provider or a local community clinic.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Mobile clinics aim to boost rural health care measles vaccinations amid outbreak
The "Wellness on Wheels" program launched in spring of 2024. (Courtesy of South Dakota Department of Health) The South Dakota Department of Health plans to send its fledgling mobile clinics to underserved and undervaccinated areas of the state in response to the nationwide measles outbreak making its way to the state. Last year, South Dakota reported its first measles case in nine years. The state Department of Health recently reported the state's first case this year in Meade County in western South Dakota. Last week, on Friday, a second case was reported in Rapid City. People who visited Sam's Club in that city on June 1, or Dakota Premier Medical Center the following day were urged by the department to monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through the air. Those who lack immunity from vaccination or past infection are highly likely to catch it from an infected person. As surrounding states report more cases, Health Department Secretary Melissa Magstadt said the state's 'Wellness on Wheels' clinics can help encourage vaccinations. 'I question it myself': South Dakota vaccination rates fall amid mistrust and misinformation The fleet boasts five vehicles equipped to provide immunizations, test for sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, as well as provide screenings, prenatal care and other support. The effort fills in gaps to public health care access across the state, especially in rural and tribal communities, Magstadt said. 'It's about how we can actively use these tools to reach underserved populations,' Magstadt said. 'It's not something I would have thought about looking to leverage for something like measles vaccinations before.' The department hasn't decided where to send their fleet. Counties with the fewest kindergarteners vaccinated per capita for measles, mumps and rubella include Faulk, Jones and Hutchinson, state data shows. South Dakota counties that share tribal land and rural counties in south-central areas of the state rank the worst for clinical care use and access in the state, according to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's 2023 report. Federal COVID relief funds paid for Wellness on Wheels. 'Because of the pandemic, public health infrastructure was found to be wanting,' Magstadt said. That infrastructure missed 'critical pieces' that hadn't been invested in, she said, such as health care access in rural areas. More than a hundred rural hospitals in the U.S. have closed in the last decade. The program, launched in April of last year, cost about $800,000 in federal funding. The state's public health COVID funding was also used to support a community health worker program, update emergency medical service equipment and telemedicine access, analyze the state of emergency medical services in South Dakota, and build a Public Health Lab and department training center. Magstadt said staff working with the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program requested the mobile units. WIC is a federal-state program that provides healthy food, nutrition education and health care referrals to low-income women and their young children. So far, Wellness on Wheels staff have mainly driven to events. Magstadt said the department has focused on increasing awareness of the program and building trust in communities and among tribal leaders. She plans to have staff drive the buses to rural communities more regularly to increase exposure and encourage use. 'Being consistently at a facility or place every other week will help people find it,' Magstadt said. 'We talk about the importance of STI testing, for example, but if you don't know where to get tested then that's another barrier.' Magstadt plans to have the department park one of the vehicles at a homeless shelter in Rapid City this summer as well to encourage underserved urban communities to seek services. 'We like people to be connected to primary care services, but there are unique situations where it's harder to get to health care facilities,' Magstadt said. She compared the mobile clinics as a return to home visits by doctors. That practice largely ceased in the 1960s due to cost efficiencies. 'It's a part of this menu of health care access and options no longer requiring people to come to a clinic or health care system,' Magstadt said, 'but health care being taken to patients and families who need it.' Mobile health care clinics are available in every state. They range from public entities like South Dakota's Wellness on Wheels, to specialized, private care. Other mobile clinics operating in South Dakota, according to Mobile Health Map, include: Delta Dental Mobile Program Horizon Health on Wheels Midwest Street Medicine Mobile Women's Health Unit VA Mobile Counseling Program
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Wildfire smoke from Canada prompts air quality health advisory
NEW YORK (WWTI) – New York DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton and DOH Commissioner Dr. James McDonald are issuing an Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter on June 7, 2025, due to wildfire smoke from Canada. Air quality alert issued for much of New York State The pollutant of concern is: Fine Particulate Matter The advisory will be in effect 10 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. The Air Quality Health Advisory regions consist of: Adirondacks, which includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, northern Herkimer, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Warren counties; Eastern Lake Ontario, which includes northern Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Oswego, and Wayne counties; Central New York, which includes Allegany, Broome, southern Cayuga, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, southern Herkimer, Livingston, Madison, Onondaga, Oneida, Ontario, Otsego, Tioga, Tompkins, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, and Yates, and Western New York, which includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when pollution levels, like ozone or PM2.5, are expected to exceed an AQI value of 100, indicating health risks. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) consists of tiny particles or droplets in the air, measuring 2.5 microns or less. These particles can come from combustion sources like vehicle exhaust, power plants and fires, as well as chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Exposure to PM 2.5 can lead to short-term health issues such as eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. It may also worsen conditions like asthma and heart disease, particularly affecting sensitive groups like those with heart or breathing problems, children, and the elderly. To reduce exposure during elevated outdoor levels, staying indoors can help, although indoor sources like tobacco or cooking fumes can still keep levels high. Recommendations include minimizing sources of PM 2.5 and avoiding strenuous activities in polluted areas. More information is available on DEC's and DOH's websites. Bongino, Patel defend ICE amid unrest over Los Angeles raids Ohio girl with brain injury from flu complications returns home Simone Biles rails against 'sore loser' conservative activist over trans athletes Protesters confront immigration agents, deputies during raid in Los Angeles County Streaming services next steps: What are Mubi, Tubi, and more? Additional information on PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is also available on DEC's website or by PDF download. To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Beloved NYC eatery Jacob's Pickles shuttered over roaches, rats and sewage
Upper West Side eatery Jacob's Pickles was abruptly shuttered this week following a slew of icky code violations. The Department of Health temporarily closed the Southern-style dining hotspot after the place showed evidence of rats and roaches. The restaurant was also cited for having an 'improper, inadequate, or unapproved' sewage disposal system. An inspection report revealed that the venue, located at 509 Amsterdam Ave. between 84th and 85th Streets, also allegedly failed to properly protect 'food, supplies, or equipment' from possible contamination sources. The shutdown took effect Wednesday with a statement from the restaurant claiming they'll be back open come Monday. 'While unexpected, we're genuinely grateful this issue was brought to our attention,' the statement read. 'With the guidance of the health department, we uncovered underlying structural issues that contributed to unforeseen facility maintenance challenges. 'The safety of our guests and staff is always our top priority, and we will not reopen until every concern is resolved in full compliance with NYC Health Code standards,' the statement concluded. The restaurant's website stated that Jacob's Pickles was closed for renovations and 'will open in a few days.' Jacob's Pickles has had a C rating with the Department of Health since December. Owner Jacob Hadjigeorgis said in May 2024 he would move the American restaurant to a new location at 688 Columbus Ave., between 93rd and 94th Streets, after which he planned to open a new bar, Velvet Cowboy, inside the space Jacob's Pickles had occupied. It's unclear if Hadjigeorgis' plans have changed.
