A proposal to remove the state requirement for the meningitis vaccine in Louisiana schools has been defeated by House Bill 737, which faced opposition from medical professionals and lawmakers in both parties. The bill, authored by Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Houma, failed in an 8-4 vote in the House Education Committee. It would have allowed students to receive the vaccine, but it would not have banned it or prevented pediatricians from administering it. The proposal was supported by six Republicans who voted to preserve the vaccine requirement. Opposition to the bill was led by health care professionals and individuals with firsthand experience of mingitis.