from WTOP

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – New Jersey moved toward becoming the first state to require flu shots for preschoolers on Monday after a health advisory board backed new vaccine mandates over the opposition of worried parents.

The Public Health Council voted to require New Jersey children attending preschool or licensed day care to get annual flu shots, and to get three additional vaccines for youngsters starting Sept. 1, 2008.

No other state requires preschool, day care or older students to get flu shots, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

State health immunized or yeah to write a tried a lot of should be the person he is in question is the only way in a nobody else in and hold me in a kids and because they are more likely to transmit the flu virus.

The state’s health commissioner, Dr. Fred M. Jacobs, has until Dec. 18 to sign off on the mandates, though they have already been approved by Gov. Jon S. Corzine. Health Department spokesman Tom Slater said Jacobs was expected sign off on the proposal.

Besides the flu shots, New Jersey also will require preschoolers to get a pneumococcal vaccine and sixth-graders to get a whooping cough booster shot and a meningitis shot.

“Implementation of these rules will save lives and prevent disease and suffering in children, their families and the community,” deputy health commissioner Dr. Eddy Bresnitz told the council Monday.

The Council voted in favor of the requirements 5-2 with 1 abstention, with member Dennis San Filippo saying he would like to see studies done on whether it’s safe for young children to get so many doses of different vaccines.

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