WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, DC Council members voted to postpone its coronavirus vaccine mandate for students 12 and older until the next school year.
Before going into effect, lawmakers will review the mandate, which was passed in December of this year.
The COVID mandate was set to take effect at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, but city officials extended the deadline to Jan. 3 to allow more time for schools to prepare and for students to get their shots. Officials say students who remained unvaccinated by then could possibly be excluded from the classroom.
The vaccine deadline has since been extended as officials say families have been slow to get their students vaccinated.
D.C. has launched several pop-up vaccine booths and mobile health clinics as well as offered incentives over the past few months to ensure everyone gets vaccinated.
Officials claim at least 55% of children in traditional public and public charter schools ages 12 and older have received their shots. This figure has not changed much since September, with officials saying over 44% of children in the District's traditional public schools remain unvaccinated compared to about 45% being unvaccinated in September.
District residents are encouraged to schedule a vaccination appointment here.