WA Board of Health votes 'no' on including COVID vaccine in child immunizations
OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington Board of Health voted to not include the COVID-19 vaccine as a required immunization for kids going to school.
The board’s technical advisory group held a meeting Feb. 24, where they discussed updating the state’s list of required immunizations. Members put it to a vote and narrowly recommended to not include the COVID-19 vaccine on that list.
Health board members then held a public meeting Wednesday and ultimately adopted the advisory group’s recommendation.
Currently, the state requires children in school, preschool and childcare to be immunized against:
- Chickenpox
- Mumps
- Diphtheria
- Pneumococcal disease
- Haemophilus influenzae type b disease
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis B
- Whooping cough/Pertussis
- Measles
Families and their children can be exempt from these immunizations for medical, religious, philosophical or personal reasons. Only a medical or religious exemption is allowed for the MMR vaccine.
READ MORE: Costco to end senior, frontline worker early shopping hours Sunday
Stay connected with FOX 13 News on all platforms:
DOWNLOAD: FOX 13 News and Weather Apps
WATCH: FOX 13 News Live
SUBSCRIBE: FOX 13 on YouTube
DAILY BRIEF: Sign Up For Our Newsletter
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram