I am writing to express my opposition to a vaccine mandate for children. Requiring a novel vaccine to be required for children puts children at risk for harm that can not be realized at this time. Historically, medicines  that appeared to be safe have been removed from prescription when deemed dangerous or harmful. For example, mothers who were prescribed thalidomide for morning sickness were assured of the safety for their unborn children. It was only after those babies were born that the grevious impact was realized. The medicine was given to mothers without an understanding of the grevious long term health impact. Similarly, there are no long term studies foe the COVID vaccine. Without a long term study, children should not be required to receive the vaccine in order to learn at school.

Moreover, when a vaccine raises religious or otherwise moral implications, there must be an exemption on religious grounds. In this case the proposed mandate does not offer a religious exemption which is dissimilar from other approved medicines.

The way in which this proposed rule is overreaching is both arbitrary and capricious. This rule is arbitrary and capricious as it lacks time- tested safety standards and it lacks religious exemptions that are available in other similar cases. Going forward with the proposed rule will surely be met with legal opposition and be judicially stricken down. I urge you to take a measured approach and ensure children are not put at risk and religious protections are upheld.