Students ages 12 and older will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine to attend D.C. schools in the fall. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education announced that beginning in the 2022-23 school year, student immunization requirements include the coronavirus vaccine for all students of an age for which there is a vaccine fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Currently, this includes students 12 and up, according to a news release. The requirement was detailed in a law that the D.C. Council voted to approve last year. It was the first legislation of its kind in the D.C. region.
Public health officials are urging parents to ensure their students are up-to-date on routine vaccines before the school year begins. Many fell behind on shots during the pandemic, health officials say.
“We want to make sure that all of our students have everything they need for a healthy start to the school year,” said State Superintendent of Education Christina Grant. “This means making sure children see their primary medical provider for a well-child visit and receive all needed immunizations.”
D.C. law requires students in all D.C. schools, including private, parochial, and independent schools, to be fully compliant with required vaccinations to attend school and that schools verify immunization certification for all students as part of enrollment and attendance.
