Topline:
Employees in the Los Angeles Unified School District are no longer required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Board of Education voted 6-1 on Tuesday to rescind the vaccine requirement for essentially any adult on school campuses including volunteers, vendors, contractors, and charter school staff.
Why now: The district implemented a staff vaccine mandate in August 2021 in preparation to re-open schools for in-person learning. LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and the district’s chief medical director, Smita Malhotra, say because the virus is spreading less rapidly, because there are treatments available, and because the virus has become more predictable, an employee vaccine requirement is no longer needed to keep schools open. “The science with vaccinations has not changed,” Malhotra said. “They are safe and effective. The circumstances have changed.”
How the district intends to prevent COVID-19: The district will continue to encourage vaccination against COVID-19, promote good hygiene, face masks, and testing when respiratory illness spreads in schools.
The lone "no" vote: Board Member George McKenna, who represents Mid City and parts of South L.A., voted against ending the policy. “Those of you who say ‘I don't want to be vaccinated’ have a right,’” McKenna said, acknowledging educators and parents who spoke at the meeting in opposition to the vaccine mandate. “But we have a responsibility to keep our children, our staff, and our community safe.”
Will un-vaccinated employees be rehired? Maybe. The board report said “previously separated employees could be eligible to reapply,” and that employees who can’t currently perform their duties could be re-assigned. The Los Angeles Times reported in December 2021 that fewer than one 1% of employees lost their jobs after failing to meet the district’s vaccine mandate. Almost 2,000 employees received exemptions.
Get vaccinated: Cases of COVID-19 have surged in the winter months. Last year a “tripledemic” of COVID-19, the respiratory illness RSV, and the flu strained hospital capacity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expect similar levels of hospitalization this year. L.A. County pharmacies and health care providers are rolling out an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall along with immunizations for flu. Adults 60 years and older can also be vaccinated against RSV.