Immunization Requirement Updates

On June 13, 2019, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation removing non-medical exemptions from school vaccination requirements for children to help protect the public from the worst measles outbreak in more than 25 years.

These changes reflect the seriousness of ensuring all children are properly immunized. Perhaps the most important change to the regulations is the requirement that physicians are now required to enter the reason for their medical exemptions in NYSIIS. In addition, it requires the use of medical exemption forms approved by the New York State Department of Health or New York City Department of Education; a written statement from a physician is no longer allowed. In order for a medical exemption to be compliant with state regulations, providers must submit patient information, including the reason [for the exemption] that such immunization may be detrimental to the child’s health to the statewide immunization information system within 14 days following the in-person clinical interaction that occurs at or after what would normally have been the due date for administration of an age-appropriate immunization to that child.

Learn more about the latest changes to NYS DOH Immunization Regulations by clicking on the links below:

Links:

NYSDOH Webinar: Measles and the Repeal of Non-Medical Exemptions for NYS Healthcare Professionals – August 13, 2019
NYSDOH Immunization Requirements FAQs
NYSDOH Fact Sheet: New Law on School Vaccination Requirements
NYS (ny.gov) School Immunization Requirements – Emergency Regulations