The CDC’s advisory committee voted to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of recommended vaccines for children on Thursday. That is not just a bad idea. It is dangerous. But like all things COVID, states and schools might heed the suggestion to require kids to get this junk, just not in New Hampshire.
It’s against the law.
From the New Hampshire Department of Education and Commissioner Frank Edelblut.
“… I am writing to confirm that this recommendation by ACIP has no impact on immunization requirements for students in New Hampshire.
The VFC program allows children to receive ACIP and CDC recommended vaccines, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The VFC is a federal program, which allows New Hampshire to purchase childhood vaccines at a reduced cost. Participation in the VFC program is voluntary and requires parental consent for a child to receive individual vaccines.
RSA 141-C:1-a provides that no person may be compelled to receive an immunization for COVID-19 in order to access public school districts or school administrative units. There is no change to the required list of vaccines for children entering childcare or K-12 school in New Hampshire (RSA 141-C). The NH Department of Health and Human Services has stated that they have no plans to seek legislative approval to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the required list. Parents and guardians can find more information regarding which vaccines are required for school attendance, in addition to information regarding medical and religious exemptions at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/disease-prevention/immunizations.
Parents, taxpayers, even administrators, and teachers, please take note. Immunization is optional and at parents’ discretion. Schools may not require it of students or parents who participate in or need lawful access to school property for sports, plays, activities, events, conferences, or even school board meetings.
Period.
So the headline could read, “New Hampshire cannot require,” but that protection is transitory. If Democrats get the votes in the Legislature and a willing governor, they will roll that back, and not just for Public Schools.
