DONATE
COVID-19 vaccines for kids 12 and older were approved in May 2021. Pfizer's emergency use authorization was expanded to 5- to 11-years-olds in November 2021. And the Food and Drug Administration authorized pediatric vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer for children as young as 6 months in June 2022.
Alan Mbathi/IPB NewsA 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
Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on COVID-19 and other statewide issues.
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.
9(MDAyMzk1MzA4MDE2MjY3OTY1MjM5ZDJjYQ000))
Support WFYI. We can't do it without you.