Should the government make you vaccinate your children?

A panel of vaccine experts will explore the ethics and science behind childhood mandates Wednesday evening in the theater of the Franklin Institute.

New Jersey's recently revised law will be a case study for discussion. That state now requires children who attend licensed day care or preschools to have an annual flu shot.

On the panel: Arthur Caplan, a bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania; Paul A. Offit, an infectious disease expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Eddy Bresnitz, a deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services; and Frederic Bertley, a vice president of the Franklin, as the Institute now prefers to be called.

The March 26 public forum goes from 7 to 8:30 p.m., including time for questions and answers. Admission is free but tickets are required. Reservations: 215-448-1254.

This is the first in a year-long series on vaccine issues, with follow-up sessions being planned for late spring and fall.

Future sessions will be posted at www.fi.edu/wellness.