Mike D'Agostino

A number of you have reached out to me and expressed some confusion about the law we just passed related to vaccinations, HB 6423 AN ACT REGARDING IMMUNIZATIONS. Some of this is due to intentional misrepresentations about what is and is not in the law signed by the Governor last week. To help resolve any confusion, I have compiled a shortlist of facts below that I hope you find helpful.
 
In short, while I encourage everyone eligible to get the COVID vaccine, this law has nothing to do with COVID vaccinations. It only relates to immunizations, for things like measles, required for children to attend school. 

Facts Regarding School Immunizations in CT:

Under current law, students enrolled in public and private K-12 schools, Connecticut colleges and universities, and state-licensed pre-k programs all need to be current on the State's vaccine schedule. These immunization requirements are compiled recommendations from the CDC and codified in DPH state regulations. These vaccines have existed for a long time and are perfectly safe.

The current vaccine schedule includes:

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Polio, and others [LINK HERE] that have been in use for decades.

The vaccine schedule DOES NOT include:

• HPV, COVID-19, or the flu vaccines.

Facts About HB 6423 An Act Regarding Immunizations:

Previously, the state provided two exemptions from this school vaccine requirement: medical or religious exemptions. HB 6423 ends the ability to claim a religious exemption as a reason to not to be current on your vaccinations when enrolling in a Connecticut school.

The legislature has been working on this bill over the last three years in order to find a way to protect the most vulnerable students who are unable to be vaccinated because of medical reasons. Sending an unvaccinated child to school puts all children, but especially these vulnerable children, at risk.
 
HB 6423:

• Removes the religious exemption as an option to not be current on your vaccinations when enrolling in a CT school.
• Allows students currently in grades K-12 to keep the exemption (if previously claimed) for the remainder of their schooling.
• Creates a stronger path for claiming the medical exemption.
  • Includes a new, uniform document for doctors to use.
• Creates new State evaluation and reporting on vaccination rates.
• Forms an advisory committee on medical exemptions
• Allow students to gradually receive their vaccinations to come into compliance.
• Provides insurance coverage for consultations on vaccines.

HB 6423 DOES NOT:

• Require students to receive vaccinations NOT included on the State's vaccine schedule.
  • VACCINES NOT REQUIRED BY CT: HPV, COVID-19, flu vaccines.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine is currently not approved for anyone under 16.
• Require parents/guardians to vaccinate students all at once while coming into compliance.

The new law will therefore take a while to come into effect completely, given that students who currently claim a religious exemption may continue to do so for the rest of their time in school. But as it does, this law will make everyone safer and healthier and prevent the resurgence of diseases that we fought long and hard to eliminate, safely. It does not require the COVID-19 vaccine, but I encourage anyone over 16 to get that vaccine – for the same reasons.