[ad_1]
BOSTON (CBS) – All Massachusetts students will need to get a flu shot before the end of the year. State public health officials made the announcement on Wednesday, citing the importance of reducing flu-related illness amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“Flu shots will be required for all children 6 months of age or older attending Massachusetts daycares, preschools, kindergartens, K-12 students, and colleges and universities,” Massachusetts Department of Public Health said in a statement.
The flu shot is now mandatory for all Massachusetts school students enrolled in child care, preschool, K-12, and post-secondary institutions: https://t.co/ RjiOvS83DW pic.twitter.com/5e0ajDir0U
– Mass. Public health (@MassDPH) August 19, 2020
Students are expected to receive their flu shot by December 31, 2020.
Exemptions will be granted for medical or religious reasons, the state said. Homeschooled students and students who are completely off campus and only learn distance are also exempt.
Download the NEW CBS Boston App for iOS or Android
Massachusetts is the first state to require the flu vaccine for K-12 students and college students, according to CNN. Only a few other states have influenza vaccination requirements for daycares and preschoolers under 5.
“Each year, thousands of people of all ages are affected by the flu, resulting in many hospitalizations and deaths,” said Dr. Larry Madoff, medical director of the Office of Infectious Diseases and Laboratory Sciences at DPH, in a statement. . “Getting the flu shot is more important than ever because flu symptoms are very similar to COVID-19 and preventing flu will save lives and conserve health care resources.
New students entering school between Jan.1 and March 31 will need to be vaccinated first, the state said. A second dose of influenza vaccine in the same season may be recommended depending on the child’s age and vaccination history, but it will not be required for school entry.
[ad_2]
Source link