New bill would require coronavirus vaccine for all N.Y. students pending full FDA approval, report says - SILive.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- One state lawmaker wants to add the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to the list of required immunizations for all students attending school in New York.

Earlier this week, State Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) introduced a bill that would require all New York students to get vaccinated against the coronavirus in order to attend school, according to a NY1 report.

The bill, if passed, would take effect 30 days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants full approval of the vaccine for children under the age of 12 and would require recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) immunization committee, the report states.

“We’re at 19 months into the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and hospitalizations for children sick with COVID-19 are currently at a record high,” Hoylman said. “We must do everything we can to make sure there never is a pediatric ICU bed shortage in New York State, and that means requiring immunization against COVID-19 for school children once we know they are safe and effective.”

Currently, the coronavirus vaccine is only available to individuals over the age of 12.

Those children are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, which received full FDA approval earlier this week.

There’s already a long list of vaccinations required for all New York students, including polio, mumps, measles, diphtheria, rubella, varicella, Haemophilus influenzae type b, pertussis, tetanus, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease and hepatitis b.

“New York law currently requires students to receive immunizations against 12 different illnesses. It’s a no-brainer to add COVID-19 to that list,” said Hoylman.

For faculty members, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced earlier this week that all school workers across the state will either need to be vaccinated against the coronavirus or submit to weekly testing.

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that all school faculty members will need to receive at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine by Sept. 27, with no option to test out.

“Our schools must be safe spaces for all children, and by mandating a first dose by Sept. 27, the first month of school, we are adding yet another layer of protection for our kids,” said NYC Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter.

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New bill would require coronavirus vaccine for all N.Y. students pending full FDA approval, report says - SILive.com
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