Xiarhos Statement Against Mandatory Flu Vaccine For Students

August 19, 2020

BARNSTABLE – Steve Xiarhos, Republican candidate for State Representative in the Fifth Barnstable District, issued the following statement today in opposition to an announcement by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that a flu vaccine will now be required for all Massachusetts school students enrolled in child care, pre-school, K-12 and post-secondary institutions:

“I believe the Governor’s decision to require all students to get a flu shot is overreaching by our state. We can debate the science all we want, and I’m open to the possibility that getting a flu shot is a medically-sound decision. But I know this for sure: the question of what medicine kids take should be decided between them and their parents and their pediatrician. Even during a pandemic, our state must respect individual rights and freedoms. As a State Representative, I will defend the constitutional rights of the people of Massachusetts.”

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