NY law requires kids to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 1
Students must now have all their vaccines when they start kindergarten.
No more vaccine delays for school kids in New York.
Children entering kindergarten must get two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccines, under new state Health Department regulations that kick in Sept. 1. Until now, parents could hold off giving kids some doses until age 6.
The new policy doesn’t mean kids will receive any more shots, but requires them to be fully vaccinated for several illnesses, such as diphtheria and chicken pox, by the start of kindergarten.
Many of the 75,000 incoming kindergartners at city schools already have their full array of shots.
"I think it's better to have full protection when you start school," said Dr. Michael Tosi, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at The Mount Sinai Hospital. "I don't think there's any reason to wait."
But the new policy requires them to be fully vaccinated for several illnesses, such as diphtheria and chicken pox from the start.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said the changes mirror federal standards.
"The health and safety of our students is our top priority and we will offer support to families and principals to ensure all health requirements are met,” said city Education Department spokesman Jason Fink.
Parents will have to show proof of immunization or at least show that their kids are in the process of receiving the vaccinations to attend school. If not, they could be sent home.
