Ohio health officials say CDC vote won’t change children’s vaccine requirements

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKBN) – Ohio’s chief health official said Friday that the CDC Advisory Board Voted to include the COVID-19 vaccine in the list of routine immunizations for adults and children.

Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff issued a statement that the vote will not change anything for children in Ohio’s schools.

“The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization (ACIP) recommends adding the COVID-19 vaccine to children’s vaccine regimens or schedules, but does not mandate this vaccine for school children. Ohio. State law determines vaccines required for school attendance, see Ohio Revised Code 3313.671,” he wrote in a prepared release.

Vanderhoff went on to say that Ohio does not mandate COVID-19 vaccines for school attendance and that the advisory board vote would not change Ohio law.

“State lists of required vaccines can only be changed by law,” wrote Vanderhoff.

The CDC’s Immunization Advisory Committee (ACIP) voted unanimously to add coronavirus injections. On the 2023 list that includes flu vaccinations. measles, mumps, rubella; polio; and other immunizations.

The CDC doesn’t have to follow the panel’s advice, but it often does. If the CDC approves the recommendations, the new list he will publish in February.

Nathaniel Weizel contributed to this report.