Ahead of New State Deadline, Curran and State Legislators Urge Parents to Ensure Children Receive Required Vaccinations
NYS Department Health guidelines available here
EAST MEADOW – Nassau County Executive Laura Curran was today joined by State Senators Kevin Thomas and Anna Kaplan, Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein, and health officials at the Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) to remind parents of the upcoming deadline under New York State Law for parents to ensure their children have received required vaccinations. Residents should refer to the New York State Department of Health for all information regarding school vaccination requirements.
The 2019-20 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance is available online. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) catch-up immunization schedule is also available online.
“Vaccines are safe, effective and the best way to keep our children safe,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “Ahead of the upcoming state deadline, I urge all parents to ensure their children have received their required vaccinations. The single best way to protect our children and the entire community from serious diseases is through recommended vaccinations.”
"We all have a responsibility to protect the thousands of vulnerable people in our community who cannot receive vaccinations due to health conditions or young age,” said Senator Kevin Thomas. “Vaccination gives us the power to protect ourselves, our children, and our neighbors from highly contagious, potentially life-threatening diseases like measles. I’m grateful to my colleagues in Nassau County and New York State for supporting the critical action that needs to be taken in order to protect the health and well being of everyone in our community."
"The science is clear that vaccines are safe and effective, and have saved countless millions of people from horrific diseases that once decimated children and families,” said Senator Anna Kaplan. “I urge all parents in Nassau County to protect their families from preventable illness by getting their children vaccinated."
“Nassau County continues to see cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, including mumps and pertussis,” added County Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein. “Protecting our children from preventable diseases will keep them healthy and in school. Vaccines are recommended throughout our lives and are a proven and successful public health tool in protecting society from many of these serious diseases.”
Effective June 13, 2019, New York State repealed non-medical exemptions from vaccination for children attending school. Public Health Law §2164, as amended by Chapter 35 of the Laws of 2019 prohibits a school from permitting any child to be admitted to such school, or to attend such school, in excess of 14 days without sufficient evidence that the child has received all age appropriate required vaccinations.
According to the NYS Department of Health, the 14 days may be extended where the student is transferring from out of state or from another country and can show a good faith effort to get the necessary evidence or where the parent, guardian or any other person in parental relationship can demonstrate that a child has received the first age-appropriate dose in each immunization series and that they have age appropriate scheduled appointments for follow-up doses to complete the immunization series in accordance with the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0 through 18.
The law applies to students attending all schools including any public, private or parochial child caring center, day nursery, day care agency, nursery school, kindergarten, elementary, intermediate or secondary schools.
For additional information on immunizations for children and adults, contact the Nassau County Department of Health Immunization Hotline weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at (516) 227-9416.