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“The 360” shows you various perspectives on the main stories and debates of the day.
What is happening
Los Angeles became the first major school district in the country to issue a vaccination warrant when its board of directors voted unanimously last week to require all eligible students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend classes in anybody.
“This action is to do our job to be able to offer public schools that children can come to school and be safe,” said Mónica García, member of the board of directors, before the vote. The mandate requires that students aged 12 and over receive their first dose of the vaccine by November 21 and be fully immunized by December 19. There are earlier deadlines for students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities.
The council’s decision comes amid a spike in COVID cases among children nationwide, although severe cases continue to be rare. A number of states and cities across the country have made vaccination mandatory for teachers and other school staff, but it is not clear whether many districts will follow LA’s lead in requiring vaccines as well. for the students.
The idea would likely meet strong resistance in conservative parts of the country that have rejected other COVID protocols, like mask requirements. So far, only a few districts in strongly Democratic cities have said they are actively considering terms. Administrators in New York and Chicago, which respectively have the largest and third largest school districts in the country, said there are currently no plans to require students to be vaccinated.
Why there is debate
Although student mandates on COVID vaccines do not appear likely to become mainstream in the short term, many public health experts are supporting the policy. “I think requiring vaccines for kids to show up at school is a good idea,” Dr Anthony Fauci told CNN, while noting that school vaccine requirements have proven to be very effective in keeping under control a long list of other infectious diseases. Fauci and other supporters say student vaccination warrants will not only protect children and staff from the coronavirus, but will also help prevent epidemics on campus that could force schools to close. Polls suggest that a majority of parents and teachers believe it is worthwhile to demand that eligible students be vaccinated.
The most vehement opposition to student vaccination warrants echoed numerous complaints that have fueled the decline in school mask requirements. Critics say it is unfair to force children to get vaccinated when they are at a very low risk of serious infection and there is substantial evidence that schools can be made safe using other strategies. mitigation.
Others fear that a large portion of parents will take their children out of schools rather than comply with mandates, a step that would subject many students to inadequate distance learning over a medical choice they are not in. able to do it themselves.
And after
A major factor influencing school COVID policies is the fact that there is currently no approved vaccine for children under 12. Experts say emergency approval of the first vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds could arrive before the end of the year.
Click and drag to explore how the Delta variant affects states
Viewpoints
Vaccines are by far the most effective COVID mitigation tool available
“A safe vaccine that can prevent transmission, protect our children, and ensure they can stay in the learning process in person actually makes a lot of sense. And there is historical precedent for doing so. – Dr John Brownstein, Epidemiologist, at ABC News
It’s wrong to force children to get vaccinated
“Requiring vaccines for adults who are independent and able to make informed decisions is one thing, but forcing minors to get vaccinated while still being tested to protect them from a virus that does not threaten their health is a mistake.” – Kaylee McGhee White, Examiner from Washington
Everyone on campus, including students, has a duty to protect those around them
“With the easily transmitted Delta variant of the coronavirus, everyone within the narrow confines of a school must help protect everyone as much as possible. The school district has a great coronavirus testing program, but the vaccine easily beats tests and masks as the best way to limit the spread of the virus and dramatically reduce the number of severe cases. – Editorial, Los Angeles Times
Too many schools will be forced to close if students are not vaccinated
“So far, we haven’t seen a lot of Covid vaccine warrants, even for teenagers. This will have to happen if we want the children to make it through the school year. – Dr. Peter Hotez, vaccine expert, to CNN
Large number of opposing parents could make mandates unenforceable
“A lot of parents will not get their children vaccinated. A third say they won’t, and only half say they probably or definitely will. Unless those numbers change a lot, almost every school or system will have a significant number of families who are unwilling to immunize their children. This means that it will probably be difficult to make vaccination a condition of presence. – Rick Hess, Education Week
Rollback of mandates could hamper schools in the short and long term
“If many families refuse to comply, the influx of children returning to distance learning could put a strain on already crowded independent study programs. Some families may choose to withdraw their children entirely from schools with such requirements, exacerbating the historic decline in California public school enrollment. – Emily Hoeven, CalMatters
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Photographic illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Paul Hennessy / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images
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