ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York state is changing school immunization requirements to ensure children receive their final doses of three standard vaccines before entering school.

Beginning Sept. 1, the state's Department of Health will require students to receive a complete series of immunizations for measles-mumps-rubella, polio and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis before starting school. Students who have received initial doses of the vaccines may attend school only if parents can show they have scheduled appointments for the final doses.

Previously, children could wait until age 6 to receive final doses.

The new policy reflects recommendations from an advisory panel to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health Commissioner Howard Zucker says the changes will give children ``the best protection'' from ``devastating diseases.''