A committee of state lawmakers voted Monday, Dec. 6 that they do not want the Louisiana Department of Health adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of shots students must have to go to class.
Under the proposal, the vaccines would only be required for students 16 and up.
The Health and Welfare Committee voted 13-2 against adding the COVID-19 vaccines to the immunization schedule for K-12 schools.
However, if the Governor supersedes the Legislature, the rule will be adopted.
A spokeswoman for the governor said regardless of this hearing, LDH still has the authority to add the FDA approved vaccines to a child’s school immunization schedule.
Like with other vaccines there is an opt-out provision, which allows parents to opt their child out of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine with a signature, much like other required immunizations. If a parent does not wish to get the COVID-19 vaccine for their child for any reason, they can initiate an opt-out paperwork request, which can be submitted with or without the signature of a licensed medical professional.
