Edwards to Add COVID Vaccine to La. School Immunization Schedule

If you've got school aged children in Louisiana, you will likely be forced to make a decision in the coming months.

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School aged children will most likely see an addition to the Louisiana Immunization Schedule as Governor John Bel Edwards plans to have the COVID vaccine included.

His decision is not setting very well with some of Louisiana's top legislators. The Louisiana Radio Network is reporting that in spite of a Louisiana House committee's vote against the inclusion of the COVID vaccine to school's immunization schedule, Edwards is planning to force the issue for its addition for the upcoming Fall 2022 school year.

Edwards does provide that parents will have the ability to opt out of the vaccine, stating, "It will be up to parents to decide whether their kids get vaccinated or not, that’s consistent with the way we do other vaccinations as well and we’re not going to change that."

According to House Speaker, Clay Schexnayder, who spoke with members of the House Health and Welfare Committee, having to opt out of this vaccine is an unnecessary burden. He said, “Parents should not be forced to go through the process of jumping through hoops to opt their children out of the COVID shot. Let me say that as clearly as possible. The COVID-19 shot should not be added to be required for schools.”

Edwards clearly disagrees as he adds, “The risk to these young people from COVID-19 is significant enough, serious enough that the vaccine is warranted for them, but it’s also part of a larger effort to make sure we’re dealing with the pandemic.”