Ohio law that bans non-FDA approved vaccines now in effect
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — An Ohio law that bans mandatory vaccinations in public schools that haven't been FDA approved is now in effect.
House Bill 244 was signed into law back in July but after the 90-day waiting period, it's now in effect.
"The real effect now that the law is in place, is for K-12 schools. We don't have FDA approval for vaccines for younger kids. So absent of full approval from the FDA for that, this law would stop that. From going into effect,” said law expert Mark Weaver.
The law says public schools and colleges cannot require someone to receive a vaccine that has not been fully FDA approved. It also says schools cannot discriminate against someone who hasn't gotten the shot.
"The way this law was written, it really only affects vaccines that don't have full approval from the FDA. And now the adult vaccines all do. Really, the only power this law is going to have is for schools that try to mandate the vaccines for kids that may not have full approval by the FDA,” said Weaver.
As of now, Pfizer is the only vaccine that has received full FDA approval. However, the approval is only for anyone 16 and up. It's still under emergency use authorization for those 12-16 years old. Both Moderna and Johnson and Johnson still need FDA approval.
"So, this is what happens when laws get past and then there is the 90-day waiting period before they become into effect and the facts change, the circumstances change and that's what happened here,” said Weaver.
So far, we haven't seen any school districts in Central Ohio mandate the vaccine.
But many college and universities, including Ohio State, have made it a requirement. The deadline to get the first shot for OSU students and staff is this Friday. As of now, the university says 85 percent of students and staff have gotten their first dose.
"I wouldn't expect to see much effect of this law on public universities given that most of them have already moved forward with their mandates and given that these vaccines have largely been approved now by the FDA,” said Weaver.
Thursday, October 14th 2021
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