The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Thursday voted unanimously to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the childhood immunization schedule.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky is expected to sign-off on the decision.
While the move does not require schools to have vaccinated students, health departments in many states use the CDC’s immunization schedule as a guideline for local requirements.
“Adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the recommended childhood immunization schedule does not constitute a requirement that any child receive the vaccine,” said Dr. Nirav Shah, a committee member.
“The decision around school entrance for vaccines rests where it did before, which is with the state level, the county level and at the municipal level,” Shah added.
