House Health and Welfare heard from both sides concerning Governor Edwards’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the list of shots required to attend schools next fall, for ages 16 and older. The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition, but the governor could overturn the decision. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said those who choose not to be vaccinated can opt out.
“The rule stipulates, as with all vaccines in Louisiana, that families can opt-out for medical, religious, or personal philosophical reasons,” said Kanter.
Michelle Wags, a New Orleans resident spoke in opposition and said she’s being treated as a second-class citizen in her hometown because of vaccine requirements and pleaded to the committee to vote no.
“There are two societies forming, a medical apartheid is forming right now, in New Orleans, in America and we need you guys,” said Wags.
Monroe Representative Michael Echols pressed Kanter on the intent of the vaccine requirements for schools and that it would force those who are unvaccinated to leave the classroom. Kanter responded that students can opt out and still attend school.
“The intent is not to exclude unvaccinated students from school, that’s simply not the intent of this,” said Kanter.
David Oats, an Air Force Veteran, and Realtor told the committee he had treatments for the virus available to pass out to anyone who’s interested and because there are treatments the vaccines are obsolete.
“Right back there I couldn’t even bring it up here I have chlorine dioxide. There’s other cures out there for this COVID, we shouldn’t even be here right now, we don’t need no vaccine,” said Oats.
Raphaelle O‘Neil of Freedom NOLA spoke in opposition of the requirement for students and in New Orleans.
“I no longer can actually enjoy my city, if I don’t want to have something stuck into my body that I don’t want. That’s called rape from where I come from,” said O’Neal.
Kanter reminded attendees that parents can still choose to opt of the vaccine schedule on any of the vaccines, but the COVID vaccine is our best defense in the pandemic.
“We need to encourage to promote their use while continuing to respect the tradition of parental autonomy,” said Kanter.
The committee meeting began at 10 AM Monday morning and continued for the remainder of the day.
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