Do You Support Mandatory Flu Shots for Children?

What’s the story?

• It’s flu season, and Connecticut state law is making flu shots mandatory for Pre-K students between the ages of two and four.
• Children have until Monday, December 31st, to get the vaccine or they won’t be allowed to return to school during flu season (through March 31).

What are both sides saying?

• Dr. Raul Pino, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), said, "The best protection against the flu is to get vaccinated. I strongly encourage all residents to get a flu shot, if they haven't already — now is the perfect time."

"While we do not yet know how severe this flu season will be, last year's was the worst flu season in many, many years. Last season, we had over 14,000 people test positive for flu, more than 3,800 individuals hospitalized due to flu, and more than 180 deaths associated with the flu."

•  "I wouldn't suggest [the shot] for kids, I wouldn't," David Gordon, a Connecticut resident, told WTNH news.

"Especially that young, that's scary. It's risky,” Gordon said.

• Connecticut allows children to opt-out of the flu vaccine for religious reasons.

What do you think?

Should more states require children to be vaccinated against the flu? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman