Today Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the State will require all students in public and private schools in California to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 upon receiving full approval from the FDA for students in grades 7-12. The earliest this is predicted to occur is July 1, 2022; however, it may be sooner.
Once the FDA approves the vaccine, it will be added to the list of California school required vaccines. Should the vaccine be approved by January 1, 2022, the dates may be moved up. The State requirement for students ages 5-11 will not go into effect until the vaccine for this age group receives full FDA approval. Medical, religious and personal belief exemptions may be available; although there is some question as to whether the personal belief exemptions will be accepted due to the passage of SB 277.
SMUSD has long believed that widespread vaccination in our school communities is a substantive way to combat the challenges of Covid-19, and we are actively prioritizing the health and safety of all students enrolled in our schools.
Widespread vaccination may also alleviate some of the capacity issues for wide-scale Covid-19 testing, which is challenging for students, staff and parents. The District hopes that these new requirements provide a pathway to evaluate current masking requirements in schools, which remain a point of contention in most California schools.
These decisions, while controversial to many, are best left to those health experts and legislators at the State level who are licensed and/or qualified to make important public health decisions. The District will implement the mandates of the State with fidelity, the absolute best of care and good intentions for the health, well-being and safety of all of our students and staff members.
Thank you for your continued kindness and support as we all navigate through this challenging time together.
In Sincere Gratitude,
Dr. Linda de la Torre
