By DERRICK HENRY
Published: January 2, 2009
THE state?s new law requiring young children attending licensed pre-school and child care centers to get flu vaccinations will be tested this week when thousands of children return to classrooms and playrooms after the long holiday break.
New Jersey, the first state in the nation to require flu shots for young schoolchildren, set a Dec. 31 deadline for parents to obtain flu vaccinations for their children. It was part of a new policy requiring a total of four additional immunizations for schoolchildren over the objections of some parents who worry about possible risks from vaccinations.
The requirement applies to children between 6 months and 5 years who are attending licensed day care and preschool programs. State public health experts said that flu shots for young children are important for overall public health.
Children who have not received the flu vaccine are to be excluded from attending, unless they can provide proof that they are in the process of getting a dose of the vaccine within two weeks after the deadline, the state Health Department said.
Full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/nyregion/new-jersey/04flunj.html
Published: January 2, 2009
THE state?s new law requiring young children attending licensed pre-school and child care centers to get flu vaccinations will be tested this week when thousands of children return to classrooms and playrooms after the long holiday break.
New Jersey, the first state in the nation to require flu shots for young schoolchildren, set a Dec. 31 deadline for parents to obtain flu vaccinations for their children. It was part of a new policy requiring a total of four additional immunizations for schoolchildren over the objections of some parents who worry about possible risks from vaccinations.
The requirement applies to children between 6 months and 5 years who are attending licensed day care and preschool programs. State public health experts said that flu shots for young children are important for overall public health.
Children who have not received the flu vaccine are to be excluded from attending, unless they can provide proof that they are in the process of getting a dose of the vaccine within two weeks after the deadline, the state Health Department said.
Full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/04/nyregion/new-jersey/04flunj.html