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Louisiana Bans Vaccine Promotion for COVID, Flu, and Mpox, Citing $100M-$300M Economic Impact

Dec 20, 2024, 05:48 PM

The Louisiana Department of Health has implemented a new policy that prohibits its public health workers from promoting vaccines for COVID-19, influenza, and mpox. According to NPR's investigation, this directive was communicated in meetings held in October and November 2024, with staff being instructed not to encourage the public to get these vaccines through any means, including press releases, interviews, events, presentations, or social media posts. The policy also prevents the department from displaying signs at its clinics indicating the availability of these vaccines. This shift in policy is part of a broader reevaluation of the state's public health priorities, moving away from what the department describes as 'one-size-fits-all paternalistic guidance' towards emphasizing individual choice in vaccination decisions. The change has raised concerns among health department employees about the potential impact on public health, with fears that it could lead to increased deaths from preventable diseases. The estimated annual economic impact on Louisiana due to lost productivity from flu alone is between $100M to $300M. This policy change follows the election of Gov. Jeff Landry, who has been critical of vaccine mandates.