COVID Vaccine Goes on Schools’ Required Vaccines List

The COVID-19 vaccine will be required for in-person school attendance, as are vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella and other diseases. This vaccine was recently added to the list of vaccinations required to attend school in-person when it receives full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for middle and high school students. This makes California the first state to announce such a measure.

“The state already requires that students are vaccinated against viruses that cause measles, mumps and rubella – there’s no reason why we wouldn’t do the same for COVID-19. The measure, just like our first-in-the-nation school masking and staff vaccination requirements, is about protecting our children and school staff, and keeping them in the classroom,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Vaccines work. It’s why California leads the country in preventing school closures and has the lowest case rates. We encourage other states to follow our lead to keep our kids safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

California currently has the lowest case rate in the entire country and is one of only two states to advance out of the CDC’s high COVID transmission category. School districts report more than 95 percent of students have returned to in-person instruction this school year.