Governor: Louisiana will take COVID-19 vaccine off school requirement list

Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday state health officials will remove the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required immunizations for Louisiana students. During his monthly radio show, the governor said it was anticipated that the COVID-19 vaccines would have full federal approval by now.

The governor’s announcement will likely throw water on multiple proposals in the Legislature that sought to force the state to remove the student requirement. Most notably, House Concurrent Resolution 3 from Rep. Larry Bagley, R-Stonewall, sought to remove the COVID-19 vaccine from the state immunization schedule and prohibit schools from excluding anyone who refused the shot.

.@LouisianaGov says @LADeptHealth will rescind its rule that requires students to have the COVID vaccine to the required schedule for schools.

LDH had anticipated that the vaccine would have full FDA approval by now. #lalege #lagov

— Christina Stephens (@CEStephens) May 18, 2022

Had it been approved, HCR 3 would not have required the governor’s signature to take effect. A Senate committee rejected 4-3 last week, but there were efforts to bring the proposal back up for another vote.

Opposition to the vaccine requirement for school admittance was considerable, even though the state has an exemption process for all required vaccines that covers medical, religious or philosophical reasons.

The state health department reiterated its support for the COVID-19 vaccine via social media Wednesday afternoon and urged families to get the protection as cases of the virus are on the rise again.

LDH today reaffirms its official recommendation that all eligible children receive the COVID-19 vaccine, especially as COVID cases, percent positivity, and emergency department visits for COVID-like illness increase throughout the state.

READ MORE: https://t.co/8bwODBwb9h pic.twitter.com/DUbGBv6ELY

— Louisiana Department of Health (@LADeptHealth) May 18, 2022