The average daily attendance rate in public schools drops 2 percent during peak flu season, which runs from December through February. This may not seem like much, but in New Hampshire and other states, public schools receive additional funding based on the previous  academic year’s daily attendance. 

Although this is not a lot of money, relatively speaking, it still is crucial for education. If public schools mandated flu and COVID vaccines, they would change that statistic, which would, in turn, increase attendance and funding. 

According to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, school nurses reported that they see an average of 16 students per day with flu-like symptoms during flu season, and out of those 16 students, they will send five students home. Not only are these kids missing out on their learning, they are also risking spreading viruses to others.

Additionally, high school students will often come to school sick. Personally, I’ve come to school feeling ill when  I have a test and can’t afford to miss the  class. Usually, I’ll end up bombing the test anyway due to illness. 

Mandating vaccines can be  a tricky subject. Remember the kerfuffle over COVID vaccines. But the data on their efficacy is clear evidence to argue that flu vaccines should be mandated in public schools.