New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has mandated required flu shots by Dec. 31 for all students 6 months or older who attend child care, pre-school, school and college throughout the state.
Officials stated concern for the high risk to the public if they were to catch both COVID-19 with its respiratory impact combined with also having the flu.
Dr. Larry Madoff, the medical director of the department’s Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences explained “Every year, thousands of people of all ages are affected by influenza, leading to many hospitalizations and deaths. It is more important now than ever to get a flu vaccine because flu symptoms are very similar to those of COVID-19 and preventing the flu will save lives and preserve health care resources.”
However, there are exemptions for religious or medical reasons and those children who are homeschooled. In addition, the exemption extends to any higher education students who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only.
