Several governors across the country were quick to assure residents that they would not institute statewide COVID-19 vaccine requirements for school and day care entry after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s vaccine advisory committee voted Wednesday to include the COVID-19 shot on the childhood immunization schedule. Many states use the schedule as a guideline when crafting vaccination requirements.
Governors in Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma, Florida, and Arkansas have already said that their states would not put in place requirements for children to receive a COVID-19 vaccine for school entry.
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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendation to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the 2022 Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedule drew criticism from opponents, who said it would lead to more statewide COVID-19 vaccine mandates for schools.
The CDC has said the inclusion of the COVID-19 shot on the schedule is only a recommendation for parents and health providers on when certain vaccines should be administered, as school-entry vaccination requirements are determined by state or local jurisdictions.
“It’s important to note that there are no changes in COVID-19 vaccine policy, and today’s action simply helps streamline clinical guidance for healthcare providers by including all currently licensed, authorized and routinely recommended vaccines in one document,” the CDC said in a press release.
CDC ADVISORY GROUP VOTES TO ADD COVID-19 SHOT TO CHILD VACCINATION SCHEDULE
Govs. Glenn Youngkin, Kevin Stitt, Ron DeSantis, Asa Hutchinson, and Bill Lee have made it clear that families in their states will not be affected by the decision, as they have no intention of including the COVID-19 vaccine on their school entry requirements.
Virginia
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said that the state would not be requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for school entry.
“COVID-19 mandates should be in our rear view mirror. The decision to vaccinate a child against COVID-19 is for Virginia parents to make about what’s best for them and their family. We will not adhere to these mandates @CDCgov,” Youngkin tweeted.
The Virginia Department of Health said that there would be no “direct, immediate impact on COVID-19 vaccine being added to the Immunization Schedule on school required vaccines in Virginia,” according to a statement obtained by WRIC.
The Virginia Department of Health said that in order for there to be any changes to vaccine requirements, the General Assembly would need to pass legislation or the state Board of Health would need to update the list, which would require a notice to be sent out in advance and a 60-day public comment period.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said in his state that the decision would remain with parents to vaccinate their children.
“Regardless of what the CDC in Washington says, nothing changes in Oklahoma and kids are not required to get a COVID vaccine to attend school,” said Stitt. “It’s up to parents to decide how to protect their child from viruses and as long as I am governor, we will never force kids to get a COVID vaccine to go to school.”
Stitt previously signed legislation in 2021 that prohibits requiring a “vaccination against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a condition of admittance to or attendance of the school or institution.”
Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that his state would not allow any COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
“As long as I’m kicking and screaming, there will be no COVID shot mandates for your kids,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “That is your decision to make as a parent.”
DeSantis signed legislation last year prohibiting educational institutions from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for children or employees.
Tennessee
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said that there would be no changes to vaccine requirements in their schools.
“I’ve always said mandates are the wrong approach, & TN has led in pushing back on federal Covid vaccine requirements,” said Lee. “Thanks to our work with the General Assembly, TN families won’t be impacted by today’s CDC vote. We’ll continue to stand for TN children & for personal freedom.”
Arkansas
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said that while he has encouraged residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine, he does not support mandates requiring one to get the shot.
“In Arkansas, the State will not require COVID vaccines for your child to receive an education. Throughout the pandemic, I encouraged Arkansans to get the vaccine but have never advocated for vaccine mandates, and I intend to continue that fight,” Hutchinson tweeted.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
California is the only state that has begun the process of implementing a statewide COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students, though it is not set to take effect until after July 1, 2023. Meanwhile, 21 states have already banned a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy.
