Ohio law banning public schools and universities from requiring vaccines without full FDA approval goes into effect

COLUMBUS – Ohio House Bill 244, which bans Ohio public schools and universities from requiring vaccines that have not been granted full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, went into effect Wednesday.

Since the law only bans mandates for vaccines that have not been granted full FDA approval, public schools and universities can still mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and older.

The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has only been granted full FDA approval only for individuals 16 years of age and older. It is still under emergency use authorization for individuals 12 to 15 years of age.

The Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines also remain under emergency use authorization. Those vaccines, however, are only approved for individuals 86 years of age and older.

When Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill in July, no COVID-19 vaccine had been granted full FDA approval.