A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel recently recommended that state officials add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of routine immunizations for children.
But it’s unlikely Indiana will do so.
Indiana law mandates a list of required immunizations for children in elementary and high school. That includes polio, measles, mumps, pertussis, hepatitis and meningitis.
Gov. Eric Holcomb said, with the COVID-19 vaccine, he’s avoided mandates.
“I’ve always sought to offer, not order, when it comes to that,” Holcomb said.
READ MORE: Kids as young as 6 months could get COVID-19 vaccines soon in Indiana
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Holcomb acknowledged that the General Assembly will consider any public health recommendations when it meets in January.
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) declined to comment. But House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said he doesn’t plan to add COVID-19 to the list of required immunizations.
Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
