Get vaccinated or stay home – that is the message from the mayor of Toms River.

Toms River Mayor Tom Kelaher announced a new rule this week that children who haven’t been vaccinated against the measles will not be allowed into summer camps run by the town. The mayor says that he decided to follow a new ruling by New York. This comes after a measles outbreak in Ocean County earlier this year.

“I know there are people that don't believe in it for religious or medical reasons and I respect that,” Kelaher says. “If they don't want to inoculate their kids, that's their right. However, their right not to do it is subordinate to our obligation to make sure we safeguard the 800 or so youngsters that are in our program."

Parents will be required to provide proof of measles immunization at registration. The mayor says that this is the first time they have required this.

Cases of the measles have been at their highest peak in over 25 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of May 22, 2019, there are 14 confirmed cases of measles in New Jersey, with 12 of those cases in the Ocean County outbreak, according to New Jersey health officials. Officials say that the Ocean County outbreak was considered over as of May 16.