Joint Statement from County Executive Ed Day, Ramapo Supervisor Michael Specht, Rabbi Chaim Schabes Regarding Anti-Vaccination Information Session:

Tonight’s event and the misinformation being shared at it runs counter to every statement from the medical experts and elected officials of our county. This type of propaganda endangers the health and safety of children within our community and around the world, and must be denounced in the strongest language possible.

The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is safe and effective and is the only way to prevent the measles. The over 20,500 MMR vaccinations given in Rockland since the outbreak began in October of 2018 clearly demonstrate that the combined outreach and education efforts of the Rockland County Department of Health, local officials and many religious leaders have had a significant effect and show that this anti-vaccination message is not welcome here.

It is unfortunate that these outsiders are targeting our community and attacking our right of self-determination. The group sponsoring this event does not represent the people of Rockland County. We urge our residents continue to ignore these attempts to exploit our differences and ask that they stand together as one Rockland in defense and support of our community. We stand for vaccination.