Adding COVID To CDC Vax Schedule Doesn't Mandate It In Virginia

VIRGINIA — Despite a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are not required for Virginian children 6 months and older as well as adults.

On Thursday, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices endorsed adding COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters to the routine immunization schedule for children and adults. The immunization schedule sets recommended doses and time between doses for different age groups and for those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

However, nothing recommended by the advisory committee, requires that Americans get the shots.

Fact-checkers were busy ahead of Thursday’s action.

According to the Associated Press, false claims were circulated that the CDC would require the vaccine to attend school. The AP noted the claim spread after being shared by Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

The CDC noted in a statement state or local jurisdictions make decisions about vaccination requirements for school enrollment.

Nevertheless, Gov. Glenn Youngkin responded to the claim.

"COVID-19 mandates should be in our rear view mirror," said Youngkin in a tweet. "The decision to vaccinate a child against COVID-19 is for Virginia parents to make about what’s best for them and their family. We will not adhere to these @CDCgov mandates."

The CDC's website states that state laws establish vaccination requirements.

"These laws often apply not only to children attending public schools but also to those attending private schools and day care facilities," according to the CDC website. "All states provide medical exemptions, and some state laws also offer exemptions for religious and/or philosophical reasons. State laws also establish mechanisms for enforcement of school vaccination requirements and exemptions."

The CDC committee's action Thursday makes the COVID-19 shots part of the CDC children’s vaccine program, which provides free vaccinations for children when insurance doesn't cover the vaccinations or when families are unable to pay.

In Virginia, the state's health department sets vaccination requirements for entry into public or private elementary, middle or secondary schools as well as child care centers, nursery schools, family day care homes and developmental centers. Some of the required vaccines are Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (Tdap); Hepatitis A and B, Human Papillomavirus; Measles, Mumps, and Rubella; Polio and Chickenpox.

While CDC cannot the vaccine, CDC officials do think it’s a good idea for people to get inoculations against COVID-19, which has killed 1.06 million people in the U.S. alone since the first laboratory-confirmed domestic case was reported in January 2020.