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New York basrs unvaccinated children from public schools

This photo taken on April 05, 2019 shows a nurse preparing the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at the Rockland County Health Department in Haverstraw, Rockland County, New York. (Photo by AFP)

Children who have not been vaccinated are not allowed to attend public school in the State of New York.

Under a new law that went into effect in New York on Friday, school children who were not vaccinated for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) will not be allowed to attend public elementary schools in the state.

The new law, which had been passed in June, gave parents of unvaccinated children a 14-day deadline to take measures to give their children at least the first age-appropriate vaccination.

Several other states, including California, Maine, Mississippi and West Virginia, recently took the added step to eliminate vaccination exemptions for anything other than medical necessity.

The move came after the worst measles outbreak hit the US after 25 years.

Of the more 1,241 cases in 31 states confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control as of September 2019, roughly 83% have been in New York.

The outbreak disproportionately affected the orthodox Jewish community in New York which forbade vaccination on religious grounds.

Schools in New York that violate the new law face a fine of up to $2,000.

The New York Supreme Court has challenged the law.

The law, however, could remain in effect as long as the dispute is not resolved.


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