D.C. schools to require teachers, staff to receive COVID vaccine without testing option

Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced Monday that all teachers, school personnel and early child care workers must get vaccinated against the coronavirus by Nov. 1 with no option to opt out with weekly testing.

Why it matters: A majority of the D.C. city council urged Bowser to eliminate the weekly testing option for public school teachers and day care professionals, WashPost noted. Bowser's new mandate extended the vaccine requirement without a testing option to all D.C. public schools, charter schools, private schools and child care facilities.

• Under the requirement, all student-athletes 12 and over must be inoculated against the virus to participate in school-based athletics.

Background: Bowser announced a separate vaccine requirement for D.C. government employees in August, which included a testing option.

• Government employees were required to report their vaccination status Sunday, with the mayor reporting that 72% of the government workforce was fully vaccinated.

What she's saying: "We know that vaccinations are the most effective tool to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect children who are not yet eligible to receive the vaccine," Bowser said Monday.