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New York City mandate requires influenza vaccine for daycare, preschool children
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On Wednesday, the New York City Board of Health unanimously approved a mandate requiring that all children younger than 5 years attending a city-licensed daycare or preschool receive the influenza vaccine, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
“Young children have a high risk of developing severe complications from influenza,” the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a statement. “One-third of children under 5 in New York City do not receive an annual influenza vaccination, even though the vaccine safely and effectively protects them against influenza illness. Young children often pass influenza to other children and family members, who then spread the infection to others in the community. This mandate will help protect the health of young children, while reducing the spread of influenza in New York City.”
The mandate requires that these children receive at least one dose of the vaccine by Dec. 31. Parents of children who do not provide proof that their child has been vaccinated by the deadline may be excluded by their child care service until proof is given. During the first year of the mandate, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will enforce the mandate through education.
Only children with valid medical or religious exemptions will not be required to receive the vaccine.