New Jersey Mandates Toddler Flu Shots

New Jersey (dbtechno) - Becomes First State To Require Influenza Immunizations For Tots

Beginning in September 2008, New Jersey will be the first State in the U.S.A. to require that children of preschool age receive Influenza Shots.

New Jersey’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Fred M. Jacobs said last Friday that he was implementing amendments to the immunization rules for New Jersey. In total the change calls for four additional vaccines.

Beginning with this next school year, all children attending licensed day care centers or preschools will have to have the new immunizations. They will be required to have an annual shot each year for the flu.

The reason that preschoolers are being targeted is simply because in their case their immune systems are still developing and they are as likely to catch the flu and suffer more serious influenza complications as older senior citizens are.

Toddlers are also thought to be more likely to spread the virus more swiftly than older students.

New Jersey will insist that preschoolers also get a pneumoccal vaccine, and also two more shots for school children in the sixth grade. This vaccine, against meningitis is also required for college dorm residents. Sixth grade student will also receive a whooping cough booster shot.

No state in the United States, beside New Jersey, requires flu shots for students of any age.

It is thought that these new vaccines will have a large impact at reducing and preventing disease, illness, death and hospitalizations among children. “We are targeting our most innocent and vulnerable groups – our young children,” said Dr. Jacobs.
New Jersey will allow exemptions on religious grounds, or for justified medical reasons. It will be given and administered free or low cost for those unable to afford it, and will be covered by private and public insurers.

Each of the new changes to the New Jersey Immunization policies are recommended and supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and by the U.S. Center for Disease Control.