All Staff at DC Public, Charter, Private Schools Required To Get COVID-19 Vaccine

WASHINGTON, DC — All D.C. school workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Nov. 1, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Monday. The city will no longer provide a weekly COVID-19 testing option to workers who prefer not to get vaccinated.

The requirement includes public and private schools, as well as daycare staff, bus drivers, security staff and coaches.

In Northern Virginia, all school divisions that require COVID-19 vaccinations for school staff are still allowing for a weekly opt-out through a negative coronavirus test.

Also, all student-athletes 12 and older also have to be vaccinated by Nov 1. Student-athletes who will turn 12 between Sept. 20 and Nov. 1 must be fully vaccinated before Dec. 13 to be eligible to practice or compete in school-based extracurricular athletics, the city said.

Fairfax and Loudoun counties already require COVID-19 vaccinations for student-athletes.

The adults in the school system who are covered by the vaccine mandate include:

• Teachers
• Student teachers
• Teaching aides
• Substitute teachers
• Teaching fellows
• Before- and after-school teachers
• Program leaders
• Guidance counselors
• Principals and other school leaders
• Coaches, trainers, athletic directors
• Referees, meet or game officials
• Librarians and school library-based personnel
• Technology support personnel who work in schools
• Social workers
• School bus drivers
• School security personnel
• Aides for children with special needs in schools
• Cafeteria, janitorial, and building maintenance staff
• Volunteers who are regularly at schools