Flu shots for all N.J. kids in school and daycare would be required under new bill

With experts predicting a resurgence of the coronavirus coinciding with the flu season in the fall, state lawmakers want to mandate that all students — from grade school to college — get the flu vaccine.

Democratic Assemblymen Herb Conaway, D-Burlington and Andrew Zwicker, D-Middlesex, introduced legislation last week that would make the influenza shot a requirement for admission at public and private schools, preschools and colleges and universities.

The goal is to pass the bill, (A4576) before Oct. 1, “so people can build immunity in their systems in advance of flu season,” said Conaway, a physician.

Vaccinating students will significantly reduce the number of people experiencing “severe flu symptoms or a severe combination of flu and COVID-19 symptoms,” and “result in fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations related to influenza,” the bill said.

Read more: https://www.nj.com/education/2020/08/bill-would-require-flu-shots-for-all-nj-kids-in-school-and-daycare-amid-covid-crisis.html