Families protesting flu vaccine mandate for students in Massachusetts gather outside State House in Boston Su - MassLive.com

Hundreds of parents, children, educators and public health workers rallied at the Massachusetts State House Sunday morning, standing in solidarity against the flu vaccine mandate announced by the Department of Public Health earlier this month.

This demonstration, hosted by No Mandatory Flu Shot MA and Oppose Overreach - Health Choice 4 Action MA, aimed to protect a parent’s right to choose whether or not their child should receive an influenza vaccination to attend school.

Attendees lined Beacon Street in Boston, holding signs advocating, “My child, my choice,” among other statements condemning Gov. Charlie Baker and other state officials for the push to make the student flu shot permanent.

The protesters demanded Baker rescind the mandate.

“I have four children and I want to protect my right to their education without being coerced into receiving a flu vaccine, which I don’t believe in,” said Renee Vanderzicht, who has elementary, middle, and high school-aged children in Uxbridge Public Schools.

State public health officials announced that flu immunization will be required for all children 6 months and older who are attending Massachusetts pre-school, kindergarten, K-12 and college. State officials say the new vaccine requirement will aid in reducing flu-related illness amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several parents who attended the rally claim their children have faced adverse effects from vaccines, including Vanderzicht, who questioned why mandating a flu vaccine should be made in connection with a child’s education.

“I’m for freedom of choice,” Vanderzicht said. “Parents should have the freedom to know what they are putting into their children’s bodies, to have the right to decide what they feel is best for their families and not have an education dangled in front of their face if they don’t comply with something they don’t agree with.”

“We will not comply,” was the chant heard over and over as the crowd gathered outside the State House. Several parents brought their children to the rally.

Candice Edwards, of Sutton, who organized the event, noted several parents who are against the mandatory flu immunization are from families who fully vaccinate their child against other diseases.

“If you want to go get the flu shot, go get the flu shot, but do not use our children as pawns,” Edwards said. “You don’t coerce parents and tell them that their children in order to get an education that they have to go and get a flu shot. We will not comply.”

Edwards, who said her son suffered adverse effects from his diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) vaccination as a child, said part of this fight is to keep exemptions from vaccinations in place. According to the Department of Public Health, students will be required to receive a flu vaccine by Dec. 31, 2020, for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless a religious or medical exemption is provided.

“We’ve been fighting tirelessly to keep religious and medical exemptions, but that will be next,” Edwards admitted. “They’re going to take this away from us. We want the mandate repealed, but we also need to be sure our exemptions stay intact. What’s going to happen with the flu shot?”

Additional exemptions include K-12 students who are homeschooled and higher education students who are off campus and engaging in remote learning only, according to DPH.

Protesters gathered in Boston Sunday over the flu vaccine mandate for students in Massachusetts.

This new flu immunization requirement to enter school in January is in addition to existing vaccine requirements for those in child care and students in preschool, K-12 and colleges in Massachusetts. Students who are learning remotely are exempt, according to DPH.

Alex Flett, who was a school nurse in the Billerica School District for four years, spoke to the crowd, encouraging parents to advocate for their children’s rights even if that means questioning medical professionals. She argued that several vaccines, including the influenza immunization, are not based on a “risk safety test.”

Also, Flett questioned where the research was to state whether flu vaccines affect fertility and pregnancy. Before instituting a mandate, Flett and others are asking that more research be done, and evidence be put forward on the dangers of influenza vaccines.

In addition to the science behind vaccinations, Flett questioned choice and asked why parental permission is being kicked aside when it comes to receiving a flu vaccination. Flett, whose two-year-old son has suffered from brain infections, is asking public health officials to consider designated hand-washing times, increased intake of vitamin C, among other tactics to put into place to combat the flu before instituting a mandatory vaccine.

“Just as any child with a life-threatening allergy or Celiac disease must review an ingredients list...shouldn’t we review the disclosed ingredients in an annual injection?” Flett asked the crowd. “When children pack or buy their lunch, don’t they have a choice on what they eat that day? Why has a medical treatment become non-elective?”

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