COVID-19 vaccine is not required for admission to Washington State schools

The Washington State Department of Health does not require COVID-19 vaccine for children to attend school or day care.

Earlier this year, a technical advisory group consisting of representatives from the state-wide public health and education sector reviewed nine criteria, researched data, gathered opinions from experts, and then the board of directors went to school. We recommend that you do not need the COVID vaccine for admission.

The group concluded that vaccines are safe and effective in preventing illness and reducing the risk of infection.

Members were worried about public opinion as the group disagreed on whether the vaccine would be cost-effective and the burden of complying with the requirements. For these reasons, the Technical Advisory Group voted not to recommend that students not need the COVID vaccine. Vaccines are needed by most teachers and childcare workers in Washington.

Eventually, the board agreed with their advisory group.

Board members said their decision was not a signal that the vaccine was not effective against the virus.

“The Secretary of Health and Welfare strongly supports the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and has been shown to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death, especially in all populations, safe and effective. I believe there is, “said the Secretary of Health and Welfare. Umair Shah said Wednesday.

However, while board members agreed that the vaccine was safe and effective, they also acknowledged that the fight against public sentiment and the burden of compliance was too great.

Board members have not yet made available data, including studies showing how vaccines affect school viral infections and how vaccinated children reduce COVID hospitalization rates. I wanted to see.

Representatives of state-wide school districts and technical advisory groups expressed concern about the work required to enforce the newly mandated vaccines at schools, especially if the exemption had to be accepted and processed. bottom. Members of some health committees have expressed support for increasing resources to enable school nurses and school districts to serve students as a result.

In addition, some parents, including some who publicly commented on Wednesday, threatened to separate their children from public school if the COVID vaccine obligations came into effect.

The effectiveness of the mission at Washington State School was also questioned Wednesday. Survey from Kaiser Family Foundation Twenty-eight percent of parents surveyed have shown that their children are “never vaccinated,” and only 4% of the group say they change their minds depending on the need for a vaccine.

Even the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics did not approve the requirements for the COVID vaccine for students.

Branch director Dr. Michael Barsotti told the board that all children and teens should be vaccinated, but sending children to school is also a priority.

“If the priority is direct school attendance, vaccine obligations create barriers to achieving that goal,” Barsotti told the board.

Equity distribution of vaccines and access to vaccines are also a concern among board members, indicating low vaccination rates for Hispanic and black children in the state.

The Board has received thousands of public comments, both in writing and verbally, in opposition to the school’s obligations for COVID vaccines.

President Keith Grelner said he can’t remember the time when there was so much public reaction and reaction to the potential actions of the board during his 11-year tenure on the board. People protesting the mandatory vaccine are nothing new, but Grellner said the pandemic is completely different.

“This is quite different from last year’s one and a half or two years of experience. It’s range, depth and strength. It’s the best warp speed I’ve ever had,” Grelner said. I am saying.

Regaining public trust was a top priority for board members.

“We must be able to rebuild that trust and show the public that we don’t have enough information, but until we have more information to make more data-driven decisions. I’m going to suspend it, “said Elizabeth Crawford, who represents the city of the Health Commission.

The board also left the door open to reconsider requesting a COVID vaccine at school in the future if needed for a new variant of the child or a more serious illness.

Only the Health Commission has the authority to request vaccinations from students to enroll in Washington State day care and schools.

There was a multi-step process that went through each time the Washington school considered the need for additional vaccines, and board members praised the transparent process on Wednesday.

“If science changes in the future, this recommendation may change,” said Dr. Tao Kwan Get, Chief Science Officer of the Ministry of Health.