71 people were vaccinated for polio by the Rockland County Department of Health at the County’s first two clinics held Friday and Monday. The clinics were held in response to the discovery of a case of polio in a resident confirmed last week by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and New York State Department of Health. Overall, countywide, 379 polio vaccines have been given out since July 21st. Rockland County Executive Ed Day says HIPPA regulations prevent them from identifying the victim and many details about his health, but says the case is extremely unique…
The next local polio clinic will be held Friday from 10 AM – Noon at the Pomona Health Complex 50 Sanatorium Road, in Building A. Rockland County residents can pre-register for a free appointment at RocklandGov.com or call 845-238-1956 to schedule. Walk-ins will also be accepted. Those who are fully immunized are at low risk and the focus remains getting those unvaccinated or behind on their 4-dose polio vaccine series up-to-date with the vaccination.
Meanwhile, wastewater samples tested last month from Rockland County’s Sewer District #1 revealed detectable polio virus. The district serves large portions of Ramapo and Clarkstown and some areas of Orangetown. The county says it’s not clear whether this was from the one confirmed case. Rockland Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski says we need to make sure this was an isolated incident…
The county, state and CDC are collecting information and conducting tests of wastewater samples to determine if the virus is circulating. Results will be disclosed as they become available.