The Los Angeles Unified School District will not include the coronavirus vaccine in its immunization requirements for the 2021-22 school year.
As per Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s recommendation, the LAUSD Board of Directors voted to make it in line with California. Meanwhile, California decided to delay its vaccine mandate for schools until the FDA approves it for every school-grade age.
Carvalho stated that the decision shows that LAUSD is science-based as well as that advice from public health experts and its medical partners influences its safety and health protocols. Carvalho added that students perform at their best as they learn in in-person class alongside their peers. There are high rates of vaccination among students aged 12 years and above as well as low rates of transmission in safety measures across the nation and LA schools. Therefore, the district has been using the safest environment possible for in-person education.
The Food and Drug Administration may approve the coronavirus vaccine soon. Even if it happens, the district will not enforce the requirement earlier than July 01, 2023, which will be part of the next school year.
The federal agency has authorized the use of the vaccine for kids aged 5 years or more. However, the district has got full approval only for those aged 16 years and above.
CDPH Director Tomás Aragón stated in April 2022 that the California Department of Public Health encourages every eligible Californian to get vaccinated against coronavirus disease. Aragón added that CDPH was continuing to confirm that the best available data and science drove its response to this pandemic.
In March 2022, the district ended its face mask requirement on LA school grounds and thus aligned itself with California in that regard too. While not needed, public health officials and the district recommend the use of masks as coronavirus keeps spreading through communities.