New Jersey Law Makes Flu Shots Mandatory and Parents Angry - Government Going Too Far?
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The Associated Press reports that a large group of people protested in front of the courthouse to dispute the law.
Although the CDC reported 36,000 Americans died from the flu last year, the small percentage of related child deaths, a mere 0.002% (or 83 children), leads some parents to deem this law an infringement on their right to choose what is best for the health and welfare of their children.
The vaccines aren't offered for free, either, so parents without family health insurance are forced to pay anywhere from $25-40 per child. For those already financially strapped families, mandated vaccines are just one more stressor.
With such an outcry over the mandated influenza vaccine, there's already a great push in New Jersey to allow those with valid religious or personal objections to opt-out with appropriate documentation.
How would this scenario translate if the government were to mandate health insurance for children? Would such a loophole apply?
One day we may look back at this New Jersey flu shot legislation as a milestone of government intervention into child health care needs.