2021 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 137
BY SENATOR CATHEY
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the office of public health, Louisiana Department of Health, to provide
a comprehensive list of all schools, kindergartens, colleges, universities, proprietary
schools, vocational schools, and licensed day care centers that have sought approval
of the office to require a COVID-19 immunization pursuant to R.S. 17:170(A)(3).
WHEREAS, in December 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) approved the first COVID-19 vaccination in the United States; and
WHEREAS, upon receiving FDA approval, the United States Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), comprised
of an independent panel of medical and public health experts, makes a recommendation on
availability to the public; and
WHEREAS, due to the limited availability of the COVID-19 vaccine at the outset,
the ACIP not only made a general recommendation, but also made recommendations based
on priority of availability due to risk of exposure and age; and
WHEREAS, in May 2021, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was approved for
adolescents age twelve and up; and
WHEREAS, the Moderna-NIAID vaccine is expected to receive authorization for
administration to children age twelve and up by summer 2021 and the Johnson & Johnson
vaccine is currently undergoing clinical trials for children age twelve and older; and
WHEREAS, it is expected that by late 2021 the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may be
available for children as young as two years old; and
WHEREAS, R.S. 17:170 provides for proof of certain immunizations for persons
entering elementary and secondary schools, kindergartens, colleges, universities, proprietary
schools, vocational schools, and licensed day care centers, at the time of registration or entry
according to a schedule approved by the office of public health; and
WHEREAS, R.S. 17:170(A)(2) provides that the current immunization schedule
includes measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis,
meningococcal disease, and hemophilus influenzae Type B invasive infections; and
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WHEREAS, R.S. 17:170(A)(3) provides that at its own discretion and with the
approval of the office of public health, an educational institution or licensed day care center
may require immunizations or proof of immunity more extensive than required by the
schedule approved by the office of public health; and
WHEREAS, with the COVID-19 vaccine approved for children as young as twelve
years old and with the anticipation of the FDA approving the COVID-19 vaccination for
children as young as two years old within the next year, it is feasible that educational
institutions or licensed day care centers may seek approval from the office of public health
to require the COVID-19 vaccine for entry.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby request the office of public health, Louisiana Department of Health to provide
a comprehensive list of all schools, kindergartens, colleges, universities, proprietary schools,
vocational schools, and licensed day care centers that have sought approval of the office to
require COVID-19 immunization pursuant to R.S. 17:170(A)(3) and whether the approval
was granted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the comprehensive list requested in this
Resolution be submitted to the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana on July 1, 2021,
October 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
assistant secretary of the office of public health, Louisiana Department of Health.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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