Louisiana vaccine bills spark conversation about COVID-19 vaccine safety for infants

One of several vaccine-related bills recently introduced in Louisiana is generating conversation online. Bill HB288 would require all autopsies of sudden infant deaths in children under 1 year to include vaccine records. Some social media users and anti-vaccine groups are expressing support for the bill and suggesting that vaccines are not safe for infants and cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Recommendation: Online conversations about HB288 may discourage Louisiana patients from vaccinating their children under 1 year of age. When talking to parents of young children, emphasizing that vaccines do not cause SIDS is recommended. Key talking points could include the fact that the condition affects vaccinated and unvaccinated infants at the same rate. Extensive research and monitoring has shown that recommended vaccines are safe for infants, who need routine vaccines to stay protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. Learn more about recommended vaccines for infants and children from the CDC.