BREWSTER, NY—The Putnam County Department of Health will offer free MMR vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella to individuals exposed during the recent measles case identified in early June. Other residents who are not immune to measles may receive free vaccine as well. Exposed contacts who get measles cannot be vaccinated, so the clinics will be held after the incubation period which ends on June 19. Individuals who recover from measles are considered immune. However, contacts without immunity are being offered the free vaccine. Putnam residents can also pay for an MMR vaccine through their healthcare provider or pharmacy. Individuals who do not know if they are immune to measles are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider.

            For those not immune, the health department will host several special free MMR immunization clinics. The first is in Mahopac on Friday, June 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., at St. John’s food pantry. This is a walk-in clinic and no appointment is necessary. For those who attend this clinic and need a second dose, they will be able to receive it from the health department four weeks later at a closed clinic. Information on these second doses will be provided to those who need it when the first dose is given.

            Later the same day, June 20, another clinic will be held at the Putnam County Department of Health from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at their main office at 1 Geneva Road in Brewster. Appointments are required for this clinic and can be made by calling 845-808-1332. For those who attend this clinic, if a second dose is needed, they will be able to receive it four weeks later through the health department as well. Information will be provided to them at their first dose.

Another clinic will be held in the Village of Brewster at 121 Main Street, on Tuesday, June 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. Attendees at this clinic who require a second dose will be able to receive it four weeks later from the health department as well. Once again, information will be provided to these recipients at the first dose.

In addition to these special free vaccine clinics, the MMR vaccine is also available by appointment at regularly scheduled health department clinics, either through insurance or a small fee. The next is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25 at the health department. For further information or to schedule an appointment, residents can call 845-808-1332. More information is also available online at www.Putnamcountyny.ny/health. Scroll down to “Clinical Services & Communicable Disease Control” and click on “Making an appointment at an immunization clinic.”

Most people have received the two-dose MMR vaccine as a child, typically at 12 to 15 months and a second dose again between 4 and 6 years of age. Adults born before 1957 are generally considered immune due to likely prior exposure. But adults born in or after that year may need additional protection that can be supplied from one dose of the MMR vaccine. Those vaccinated between 1963 and 1967, when a less effective vaccine was used, should speak to their healthcare provider to see if they should be revaccinated with a current MMR vaccine. All individuals with questions or concerns about their immunity are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider. Those without a healthcare provider can call the health department at 845-808-1390 to speak to a nurse.

Today’s modern MMR vaccine as series of two doses was introduced in the U.S. in 1971. With its success and safety record, by 1980 all 50 states had school immunization requirements. These requirements have played a key role in providing immunity here in the U.S. and why measles was declared eliminated in 2000. Most measles cases today in the U.S. have initially occurred from exposure overseas. As of June 5, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control known as the CDC report 1,168 cases of measles in 33 states.

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community. The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) through 2029, serves a community composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services are provided through a lens of equity, and include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit the County website at www.putnamcountyny.gov, or visit our social media sites on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @PutnamHealthNY.

For further information:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/php/toolkit/index.html