Apr 14, 2022 - Health

California delays COVID vaccine mandate for schoolchildren

A nurse administers a pediatric dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a L.A. Care Health Plan vaccination clinic in Los Angeles on Jan. 19. Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

California will not mandate COVID-19 vaccines for schoolchildren until at least summer of 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom's office announced on Thursday, the AP reports.

The big picture: The state was the first to announce a K-12 vaccine mandate back in October.

Driving the news: The mandate will not take effect until at least July 1, 2023, as the state continues to await final approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for children.

  • The Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use in children between 5 and 11 years of age in October. However, it has yet to receive full approval.
  • School districts will also need time to implement the mandate after the final approval, California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said.
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