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BOSTON (CBS) – Students in Massachusetts no longer have to shut off the flu to go to school. The Department of Public Health said on Friday it had removed the vaccination mandate for students, which was announced last summer as “an important part” to reduce hospitalizations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
DPH cited a mild flu season and a desire to focus on administering coronavirus vaccines in its decision to remove the requirement.
“Preliminary data shows the flu season has been mild so far, likely because people have received their seasonal flu shots and embraced mask wear and social distancing due to COVID-19.” DPH said in a statement. “In view of the intensive Commonwealth-wide efforts on COVID-19 vaccination, DPH wishes to ease the burden of influenza vaccination and focus on continuing our COVID-19 vaccination efforts. “
Massachusetts was the first state to require the flu shot for K-12 students and college students.
Anyone 6 months or older in Massachusetts child care centers, preschools, kindergartens, K-12 students, colleges and universities should be vaccinated before they finish. of February, after the state extended the deadline to December. Some parents had protested against the new mandate.
The ministry continues to “strongly recommend” that all people 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu shot each year. About 81 percent of Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in Massachusetts received a flu shot last year.
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