Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
States Struggle With Flu Shot Mandates, Too
Boston Globe: Protesters Outside State House Demand Baker Rescind Flu Shot Order
Demonstrators crowded outside the State House Sunday morning demanding that Governor Charlie Baker rescind a public health mandate that requires most Massachusetts students get the flu vaccine to attend school. Earlier this month, Baker announced what is believed to be a first-in-the-nation order requiring the vaccination for anyone 6 months or older who is in a school or day care center, with some exemptions. (Tziperman Lotan and Hilliard, 8/30)
NJ.com: Flu Shots For All N.J. Kids In School And Daycare Would Be Required Under New Bill
With experts predicting a resurgence of the coronavirus coinciding with the flu season in the fall, state lawmakers want to mandate that all students — from grade school to college — get the flu vaccine. Democratic Assemblymen Herb Conaway, D-Burlington and Andrew Zwicker, D-Middlesex, introduced legislation last week that would make the influenza shot a requirement for admission at public and private schools, preschools and colleges and universities. (Livio, 8/30)
AP: Vermont Considers Flu Jab Mandate; Maine Church Investigated
Public health officials in Vermont said the state is considering becoming the second state to mandate flu shots as a way to ease the burden of influenza amid the coronavirus pandemic. Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine said Friday the rate of flu in the state needs to be as low as possible to avoid a situation he called a “twindemic.” He said last year less than 43% of children age 5 to 12 received the flu vaccine. (8/29)
Politico: States Confront New Covid-19 Challenge: Getting Flu Shots To Apathetic Americans
State health officials are desperately ramping up flu vaccination efforts, hoping to prevent health care systems already taxed by Covid-19 from being overrun by the rapidly approaching influenza season. Massachusetts is requiring every kid to get a flu shot to attend school or childcare. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer got vaccinated on live television, stressing that immunization could help save precious hospital resources. Local and state health departments are buying record amounts of vaccine, hiring new staff to provide shots at senior residences and homeless shelters, and they are planning to offer immunizations at Covid-19 testing sites. (Ehley and Goldberg, 8/30)
Also —
ABC News: Getting COVID-19 And The Flu At The Same Time: What Are The Risks?
With fall around the corner and novel coronavirus cases still prevalent throughout the country, experts are bracing for what some have called a "twindemic" of COVID-19 and the flu. Although these are two very different viruses, experts are now exploring what might happen if people get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time, and whether being ill with one virus might make you more susceptible to the other. (Carrington, 8/30)
Related News From KHN: This Is A Good Year To Get A Flu Shot, Experts Advise
