CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago Public Schools said 86 percent of employees have submitted proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and employees who aren't fully vaccinated before Friday's deadline do have options.
The district said workers who aren't fully vaccinated by the Oct. 15 deadline can undergo weekly COVID testing until they get their shots, instead of unpaid leave.
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Wednesday's change in policy came after the three unions representing CPS workers, including the Chicago Teachers Union, sent a letter to Mayor Lightfoot urging the city to not place unvaccinated employees on unpaid leave if they didn’t meet the deadline.
The district is pleased with the number of vaccinated employees, as 86 percent of employees have submitted proof of vaccination
Additionally, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said he work on finding out the reasoning of why some employees still aren't vaccinated and encourage them to do so.
“I feel fairly confident, just based on how high our percentage is, that it’s not going to be a big issue in our district,” he said.
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Meanwhile, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said she's pleased with the low rate of transmission in schools seven weeks in to the academic year.
"Last week just a total of 0.09 percent, less than one out of every 1,000 staff and students were positive for COVID and that's really good. We've been very pleased by that," Dr. Arwady said.
She expects COVID vaccines to become available for children between the ages of 5-11 sometime in November.
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