Aug 11, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Education secretary says he would support vaccine mandate for teachers

Yacob Reyes

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Wednesday he would "favor the vaccine being required" for teachers and other staff, as schools across the country prepare to welcome students this fall.

Why it matters: It comes as the U.S. experiences a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, due in large part to the highly contagious Delta variant, and as hospitals sounds the alarm about an increasing number of kids landing in the hospital after contracting the virus.

What they're saying: “I wouldn’t have gotten the vaccine or had my children get it if I questioned whether or not it was safe,” Cardona said during a virtual National Press Foundation event.

"Vaccination is the best way to get our schools open."

Driving the news: Cardona's support for mandates came shortly before California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) announcement that the state will begin requiring school teachers and staff to be vaccinated against COVID or submit to weekly testing.

Cities including Denver and San Jose have already mandated that teachers get vaccinated before school starts.

Go deeper: The floodgates have opened for vaccine mandates

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Education secretary says he would support vaccine mandate for teachers

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