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Student vaccine mandate bill not moving forward in Sacramento 

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Senate Bill 871 would have added COVID-19 vaccinations to the list of required immunizations for school-aged children, without a personal belief exemption.

SLO County schools superintendent issues statement

Senate Bill 871, which would have added COVID-19 vaccinations to the list of required immunizations for school-aged children, without a personal belief exemption, was paused, according to a press release issued this week by the Association of California School Administrators.

“Until children’s access to COVID vaccination is greatly improved, I believe that a state-wide policy to require COVID vaccination in schools is not the immediate priority, although it is an appropriate safety policy for many school districts in communities with good vaccine access,” State Senator Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) said.

He said that while Senate Bill 871 will not move forward, the legislature “still needs to enact policies to protect California’s children from COVID-19,” and shared his support for measures that establish school-based COVID testing plans, a statewide immunization registry and vaccine access for minors ages 12-17, according to ACSA.

San Luis Obispo County Schools Superintendent James Brescia issued the following statement in response to the announcement:

Yesterday 4/14/22, Sacramento announced that SB-871 – the student vaccine mandate – is not moving forward. You may read a full announcement from the Association of California School Administrators (ASCA) here.

Our districts, charters, private schools, parochial schools, and childcare centers continue to take collective actions, including maximizing ventilation, appropriate protocols, and access to personal protective equipment. My office works closely with our public health partners and provides our school leaders with the most current guidance and information.

As we move toward the end of the school year, my office is working with education agencies across San Luis Obispo County to address our workforce staffing shortages. The Board of Supervisors, California Department of Education, and Workforce Development Board have supported our efforts with grants and ongoing funding.

Agencies across the county collaborate with our SLO Partners program to “Grow our Own” local workforce. It is an honor to serve as your county superintendent of schools.

 

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The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.