BILL NUMBER:S6017

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to repeal subdivision 9 of section 2164 of the
public health law, relating to exemption from vaccination due to
religious beliefs

PURPOSE:

This bill would repeal all non-medical exemptions from vaccination
requirements for children.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill repeals subdivision 9 of section 2164 of the
public health law.

Section 2 provides that the act shall take effect immediately.

JUSTIFICATION:

Existing New York State law requires all children in New York to
receive certain immunizations for poliomyelitis, mumps, measles,
diphtheria, rubella, HiB, hepatitis B, and varicella. The law provides
an exemption from the immunization requirements where a physician
certifies that the immunization may be detrimental to a child's
health.
              

According to the Centers for Disease Control, sustaining a high
vaccination rate among school children is vital to the prevention of
disease outbreaks, including the reestablishment of diseases that have
been largely eradicated in the United States, such as measles.

According to State data from 2013-2014, there are at least 285 schools
in New York with an immunization rate below 85%, including 170 schools
below 70%, far below the CDC's goal of at least a 95% vaccination rate
to maintain herd immunity. This bill would repeal exemptions currently
found in the law for children whose parents have non-medical
objections to immunizations.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This act shall take effect immediately.