HARRISBURG, Pa. —The state may be changing their requirements on immunizations for school children.

The plans announced today would be a major change for Pennsylvania students and parents when it comes to immunizations.

The state's secretaries of health and education have announced plans to revise immunization regulations for school children. Currently, students must be immunized to attend school, but it includes a provisional period.

Students must have the first dose of a vaccine, but can attend school for up to 8 months until they complete a multi-dose vaccine.

The new regulation would require students to receive the final dose within the first 5 school days. Or, if the medical schedule doesn't allow it, a medical certificate that includes a plan to complete the vaccine.

The proposal also changes some of the states vaccination requirements, including requiring a pertussis and meningococcal vaccine for students entering 12th grade.

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Karen Murphy says the current 8-month provisional window for immunization presents a very real risk for children to become infected and potentially spread preventable, communicable diseases to others.

The regulations apply to public, private, parochial and non-public schools.

Meanwhile, a Pennsylvania lawmaker is applauding the proposed changes and pushing a bill of his own, one that would eliminate the statute allowing parents to exempt school children from vaccinations based on philosophical reasons.

Here's the full release News 8 received from state Senator Daylin Leach's office:

"HARRISBURG, Pa – State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery/Delaware) today commented on revisions to immunization regulations for school children and urged his colleagues to pass his bill to eliminate the statute allowing parents to exempt their school children from vaccination requirements for philosophical reasons.

Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy and Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera today announced that regulations regarding vaccination requirements for school children are being revised in order to further protect students from illness.

“I applaud the administration for making this smart change to our vaccination policy,” Leach said. “Making sure as many children as possible are vaccinated is one of the best way to prevent dangerous outbreaks.”

In February Leach introduced Senate Bill 696, which is designed to increase the number of Pennsylvania school children who are immunized against diseases that spread easily among groups, interrupt school life, and threaten public health.

While Pennsylvania law requires that children receive certain vaccinations before they may attend school, exemptions exist for a pre-existing health issue, a religious objection, or “a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.” Pennsylvania’s low vaccination rate is due, in part, to the “strong moral or ethical conviction” exemption. Senate Bill 696 would remove this exemption and would not affect the religious exemption or the medical exemption.

“By tightening our immunization requirements, Pennsylvania is working to ensure that as many students as possible are protected from dangerous diseases. But we can do more,” Leach said. “The philosophical exemption permits thousands of unvaccinated children to attend our schools for no apparent medical or religious reason. It should be the policy of the Pennsylvania government to encourage the highest possible vaccination rate, so we should eliminate the philosophical exemption.”

Pennsylvania law currently requires immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubeola, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, chickenpox, whooping cough, and meningococcal disease.

For more details about Leach’s bill, including the PA Department of Health’s vaccination data for the 2013-2014 school year, visit http://www.senatorleach.com/leach-proposal-would-increase-vaccinati....

Senator Daylin Leach represents the 17th Senatorial District, which includes parts of Montgomery County and Delaware County. He is also the Democratic Chairperson of the Senate Judiciary Committee."