PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With more than 82% of its staff vaccinated against COVID-19, the Philadelphia School District is moving to vaccinate and test more of its students.
The district is also preparing to mandate the vaccine for some students.
Superintendent William Hite told the school board Thursday that a majority of the school staff has complied with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
“We’re well over 82% of our employees who are vaccinated, so we’ve already begun to talk about shifting the testing that’s happening with adults to happen with students," Hite said.
He explained the district didn’t have the capacity to screen all unvaccinated students as the Philadelphia Health Department recommends, but it may be able to screen a percentage of them if enough vendors can be secured.
Hite said the district was also planning to mandate the vaccine for student-athletes and those in the performing arts.
“Because we’re moving into the winter sports, those sports are coming indoors," he said.
"I feel like it has to move from testing two times a week unless you’re vaccinated, to a mandatory vaccine in order to participate.”
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Hite says the district favors a “test-to-stay” system that would allow students exposed to COVID-19 to remain in school if they test negative, rather than having to quarantine.
Right now, though, the health department has “test to stay” on hold.
Hite said the district also plans to survey parents, asking if they would want their child to be vaccinated at school should a vaccine be approved for children under 12 years old.
