Louisiana Governor to Add COVID-19 Vaccine to List of Required School Immunizations

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards speaks about the state's latest rise in coronavirus cases, in Baton Rouge, La., on July 23, 2021. Melinda Deslatte/AP Photo

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards confirmed he is moving forward with adding COVID-19 vaccines to the required list of school immunizations, despite the state’s House Health and Welfare Committee voting to reject the proposal at a hearing last week.

In a letter (pdf) to the House Committee on Health and Welfare Chairman Larry Bagley on Dec. 14, the governor said he disapproved of the committee’s rejection, and he plans to allow the rule to go into effect because it will “save lives” and help the state emerge from the pandemic.