William J. Kemble is reporting in the Daily Freeman the 2015-16 school year begins next week with amended state Department of Health rules that require students to have vaccinations in order to start classes. Children entering or attending kindergarten through grade 12 are now required to have two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, the department said in a written announcement. Children entering kindergarten through grade 5 must now have five doses of the vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and a cellular pertussis. Also, children entering kindergarten and grades 1, 6 and 7 must have four doses of the polio vaccine. Under the new rules students must have the vaccinations on the first day of school, or at least have an appointment to get them already scheduled to begin school. State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said the rule revisions are based on the most current science. Zucker said, “With these up-to-date school immunization requirements in place, New York will be aligned with federal standards on childhood vaccines.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.