California Won't Require COVID Vaccine to Attend Schools

Children in California will no longer be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend school, according to state public health officials. This ends one of the last remaining restrictions related to the pandemic in California. 

The policy was first announced by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2021 but has since changed due to the availability of vaccines and the decline in COVID-19 cases. Nearly all pandemic restrictions imposed by Governor Newsom have been lifted, and he will not be able to implement new ones after February 28th when the state's coronavirus emergency declaration officially ends. 

The California Department of Public Health confirmed that they will not be pursuing a vaccine mandate for schoolchildren but still recommends COVID-19 immunization for students and staff. Any changes to the required school vaccinations will be addressed through the legislative process.