Apr 14, 2022 - Health

California delays COVID vaccine mandate for schoolchildren

Julia Shapero

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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California delays COVID vaccine mandate for schoolchildren

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