LI Lawmaker, Moms Reject Adding COVID-19 Shots To Kids' Vax Schedule

LONG ISLAND, NY — A state lawmaker from Long Island joined the nonprofit Moms for Liberty this week to blast a recommendation by a federal health advisory panel that COVID-19 shots be part of children's immunization schedules.

Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio and the nonprofit moms group called on state lawmakers and candidates to vow not include COVID-19 vaccinations as a mandatory immunization to attend public, private and religious schools "until they have withstood the scrutiny of adequate testing, and scientific/medical evaluation for efficacy and safety."

Last week, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention committee recommended that the agency add COVID-19 shots to the list of recommended vaccines for children and adults.

Giglio and the Moms for Liberty group maintain that all COVID-19 vaccines have yet to meet the standards of efficacy and safety according to the Food and Drug Administration, "which require a lengthy, complex process," usually lasting 10 to 15 years involving significant testing and trials to ensure safety and efficacy, a release said.

“Our mission is not one of anti-vaccination, but ensuring that all vaccines, including the recently recommended COVID-19, go through the proper vaccination testing and approval protocol,” Giglio said. “Our education system is built upon the mutual trust that we invest locally into schools to provide our kids a good framework to develop on, and schools in turn work hard to ensure our kids are learning all they need to become well-rounded adults. Steps like mandating vaccines that have not met the standard requirements of safety and efficiency fly in the face of that important relationship.”

She added: "The responsibility falls on us to make sure our federal systems put the vaccine through its necessary paces. As a mother, as an engaged member of the community and as a representative, I will not abide by systems that mandate vaccinations of vaccines without the proper protocols, especially if those mandates prevent our children from receiving their education in a social setting."

More than 632 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States from December 2020, through Oct. 19, according to the CDC. The agency maintains the vaccines are safe and effective.

"COVID-19 vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization," the agency writes on its website.

Additionally, before authorizing or approving the vaccines, scientists conducted clinical trials with thousands of children and teens to establish their safety and effectiveness, the CDC said on its website. The agency recommends = vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older, and COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 5 years and older, if eligible.

During the recent gubernatorial debate, when asked about whether incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul would impose a policy urged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to add COVID vaccines to children's vaccine schedules, Hochul said, "Not at this time" but said the matter was under review, and she recommended everyone get their vaccines and boosters.

"I do not support COVID mandates in any way, shape or form," Zeldin said. "I will not mandate COVID vaccines for your kids —ever."