Los Angeles, CA–All students attending Los Angeles Unified schools who are 12 and older will be required to receive the coronavirus vaccine, in a measure passed 6-0 by the Board of Education last week. These new mandates will apply to almost 500,00 students, as similar vaccine mandates for teachers and staff members have been implemented.
Following the news, United Teachers of Los Angeles issued the following statement in favor of the mandates:
“UTLA is in full support of the decision by the School Board and Interim Superintendent Megan Reilly to require full COVID-19 vaccination for all eligible students. UTLA made this demand at the bargaining table, publicly called for this action, and take pride in continuing to lead on issues of safety in our schools.
We urge the district to continue providing greater access, education, and outreach to facilitate increased vaccination numbers in our school communities.
UTLA is in bargaining with LAUSD on safety proposals that reflect what staff and students have experienced with the full reopening of schools and the need to solidify safety protocols — including required masking inside and outside of the classroom, continued weekly testing of all students and staff, the highest quality ventilation in every classroom and school buildings, and quarantine protocols that are consistent and transparent — in recognition of the Delta variant’s increased transmissibility and potential for rapid spread.”
Over 50% of students attending LAUSD schools are estimated to have received at least one shot of the coronavirus vaccine.
Read More: Statement from UTLA on LAUSD’s Student Vaccine Policy
