A new state mandate requiring children to be vaccinated before they enter pre-K and kindergarten in public schools is now in effect.
Previously, parents could wait until their kids turned six and entered first grade before getting them vaccinated.
For most schools, mandatory immunizations include measles, mumps, and rubella, tetanus and flu vaccines.
We spoke with a doctor from Elmhurst Hospital who believes the new requirement can be beneficial.
"In areas that the parents are not on top of their kids and they are not following with their pediatricians on a regular basis, it may be a good idea." said Dr. M. Pilar Gonzalez
For a full list of required vaccines visit health.ny.gov.