Students attending school in L.A. Unified School District. Photo: Robyn Beck / AFP
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced on Friday that all eligible public and private school students will be mandated to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, once it has been given final approval from the FDA.
Why it matters: This is the first K-12 COVID-19 vaccine mandate, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Details: The vaccine will be on a list of those already mandated for public schools.
- The mandate would only affect students 16 or older for now, but that could change with full approval of the vaccine for the 12-15 year-old age group, which is expected this fall.
- Shots for those aged 5-11 will likely be available under emergency use soon, but will not be mandated until they receive full government approval.
- Eligible students will not be allowed to attend classes in-person without the vaccine.
- Schools and school districts will enforce the mandate for required vaccines.
The big picture: California has been particularly aggressive in issuing vaccine mandates.
- In July, Newsom mandated vaccines for all state workers and in August he mandated vaccines for all teachers and school staff.
- California has also required masks for all students.
- Earlier this month, Los Angeles Unified Board of Education approved a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students over 12 and became the first school district to approve such a measure. Since then, several other California districts have followed suit.
State of play: 63.5% of 12 to 15-year-olds have been vaccinated in the state of California Newsom said in his announcement on Friday.