The state’s second-largest school district is following the lead of Los Angeles Unified School District by adopting a vaccine mandate for all eligible students and staff.
The San Diego Unified School District’s board voted unanimously Tuesday to require vaccinations for all students 16 and older and all district employees. All who are eligible must show proof of vaccination no later than Dec. 20.
A number of parents called the decision an “abuse of power,” according to CBS San Diego.
“You guys work for us and we do not consent. We do not know the long-term effects of this vaccine and I will not risk my child’s health,” Mari Magstadt, a parent, said.
Heather Jacobs-Cates, another mom with students in the district, asked the board, “Have you thought, have you even really thought, what if it causes even one child to develop myocarditis or any other life-threatening side effect?”
Myocarditis is described by the Mayo Clinic as an inflammation of the heart muscle that can reduce the heart’s ability to pump, causing abnormal heart rhythms. In some cases, the condition has been listed as a side effect to COVID-19 vaccines. However, doctors said the side effect is “extremely rare.”
Earlier this year, Dr. Anthony Fauci said the risk of contracting COVID-19 is worse than the low risk of rare side effects.
Related
Despite health officials assuring parents that side effects are rare, hundreds of opponents to a vaccine mandate demonstrated in front of school board headquarters ahead of Tuesday’s virtual meeting, according to CBS.
The board also heard from parents who feel the vaccine mandate is the safest decision for students in the district.
“Vaccine requirements for schools have been commonplace for decades,” said father and physician Dr. Kyle Edmonds.
“It is evidence based in light of the COVID-19 pandemic — which has maimed and killed so many across the world, including children.”
SDUSD Vaccination Mandate Details
The board’s vote approved a mandate for all school employees, partners, contractors and other adults who are in direct-contact with students and employees on campus to show proof of full vaccination by Dec. 20, 2021.
Snapshot data provided in the district’s vaccination roadmap, showed that at least 76 percent of San Diego County residents are fully vaccinated.
As of Wednesday, Sept. 22, there were 27 staff members in isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test, 16 staff members in quarantine for unspecified reasons and 34 who were absent due to COVID-19 symptoms.
The district said it will follow a staggered approach to requiring all eligible students be vaccinated by the December deadline.
“Mandatory testing will be required for all unvaccinated students until full FDA approval of the vaccine for their age group,” the school said.
Data provided by the district indicated that 67 students were isolating due to positive COVID-19 tests on Wednesday, Sept. 22. On the same day 272 students were in quarantine, 126 were in “modified quarantine.” and 887 were absent due to COVID-19 symptoms.
The district’s vaccination roadmap for student vaccinations has three stages.
Stage 1
Mandatory vaccines for students 16 and older (FDA approved).
Mandatory routine testing for all unvaccinated students 16 and under.
Stage 2
Mandatory vaccines for students 12 and older (pending FDA approval).
Mandatory routine testing for all unvaccinated middle school students 12 and under.
Stage 3
Mandatory vaccines for students 5 and older (pending FDA approval).
Mandatory routine testing for all unvaccinated students five and under.
To read the district’s full roadmap and data, click here.