ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Despite a nationwide drop in vaccination rates for kindergarteners, New York's top health official assures that students in the state remain safe due to stringent vaccination requirements.

New York does not allow personal or religious exemptions for vaccinations, which contributes to higher immunization rates compared to other states.

To achieve herd immunity against measles, a vaccination rate of 95% is necessary, and New York schools currently maintain a 97% vaccination rate.

Dr. James McDonald, New York's health commissioner, emphasized the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent measles outbreaks, noting that measles can have long-lasting effects on the immune system.

"Another thing about measles, little known fact, when someone gets mea

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