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New Jersey may become first state to require flu shots for children

Infection Control Monitor, December 14, 2007

The state of New Jersey took a step this week that may make it the first state in the nation to require annual flu vaccinations for children who attend preschool or attend day care.

Despite opposition from some parents and children's rights advocates, the New Jersey Public Health Council voted on December 10 to mandate the immunizations for all children from 6 months to 5 years old who attend licensed day care or preschool facilities, reported the New York Times. Some parents who believe the vaccinations are linked to autism spoke against the plan, but state officials said they did not believe there is a connection.

The state health commissioner is expected to approve the mandate very soon. On a 5-2 vote, the advisory panel recommended approval of the flu shot requirement, as well as requiring three other new immunizations for school children- a pneumonia vaccine for preschoolers, and two vaccines for middle school children for a strain of meningitis and a booster for the immunization against tetanus, pertussis, and diphtheria. The new vaccines would become mandatory on September 1.

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