Another Vaccine Is Now Mandatory for NY School Children

This week a new law was signed that will make it mandatory for all New York State students entering grades seven through twelve to receive a new vaccine.

The Journal News reports that Governor Cuomo has signed a bill that requires students to be vaccinated against meningitis. The bill was strongly supported by the medical community, who believe the new mandate will keep students from contracting the potentially deadly disease.

Meningitis is an infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is very contagious and can be spread simply by kissing or even sharing a drinking glass. In some cases meningitis can be deadly within just a few hours of infection. Approximately 10 percent of those who get the disease die. Those who survive can suffer severe medical complications.

Some fringe groups have claimed that vaccinations can cause medical problems, such as autism. Those claims, however, have been disproven by science and medical experts.

Currently, students in New York State are required to be immunized against MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), Varicella (chicken pox), Polio and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough). What do you think about the new mandate in New York State that adds meningitis to the list? Do you feel safer having school children vaccinated this disease too?