NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — With rising COVID-19 diagnoses among New York's youngest, Democratic state Sen. Brad Hoylman announced legislation on Tuesday to counter this trend with "a no-brainer" solution.
Hoylman is seeking to add immunization against COVID-19 to the list of vaccines children are required to receive to attend school in the state, which would go into effect 30 days after FDA and CDC approval.
“We’re at 19 months into the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States and hospitalizations for children sick with COVID-19 are currently at a record high," he said. "We must do everything we can to make sure there never is a pediatric ICU bed shortage in New York State, and that means requiring immunization against COVID-19 for school children once we know they are safe and effective."
State law requires children attending both public and private schools to get immunized against 12 different illnesses — including polio, mumps, measles, diphtheria, rubella, varicella and hepatitis b.
Hoylman, who currently represents areas of Manhattan, touted his previous support for vaccines and student immunization requirements in his announcement.
Amid reinfections, and the need to quickly achieve herd immunity in order stop the pandemic, Hoylman argued it would be vital to innoculate students "once we know they are safe and effective."
If passed, Hoylman's bill would likely go beyond the mandate that Gov. Kathy Hochul said she could likely seek — requiring school personnel to get vaccinated or get tested weekly.