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State Senate Advances Bill That Would Ban COVID-19 Vaccine Passports In Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. (KDKA) -- A new bill going through Harrisburg would look to forbid vaccine passports. The Republican-backed legislation is similar to that going through other states.

A state Senate committee voted 6-4 in favor of the bill. It followed party lines with Democrats opposed to it.

The legislation would prohibit state agencies, counties, municipalities, schools and bars from enforcing vaccine passports. Private businesses and groups would not be impacted. Click here for more information on the bill.

"I really don't see the schools mandating this vaccine. Perhaps some private organizations may, but I don't see the schools really mandating the vaccine," AHN Assistant Chair of Pediatrics Dr. Joseph Aracri said.

Our interview stayed away from the politics of the bill. He said schools may not be able to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine, even though they require other vaccinations.

"It's still being studied and it has not been fully FDA approved, so until that occurs, I don't think the schools can mandate that," Dr. Aracri said.

He said, to this point, it has been a steady process getting teenagers vaccinated. He hopes more people get their shots over the summer, whether it becomes mandatory for entering some buildings or not.

"If the children are vaccinated, as well as the adults, as well as the entire population, COVID spread drops dramatically," Dr. Aracri said.

The bill went for its first consideration before the full state Senate on Monday.

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