Should COVID Vaccine Be Mandatory For Illinois Students: Survey

ILLINOIS — In August, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced vaccine mandates for health care workers, all teachers — both K-12 and higher education — and even college students. With the approval of COVID-19 vaccines for use in children ages 5 to 12 on the horizon, Illinois Patch wants to know what readers think: Should vaccines be required for all students once they're FDA approved?

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that once a vaccine is approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for younger children, all public and private students will be required to be vaccinated to attend in-person classes.

Should Illinois follow a similar path? Take Patch's survey here or below.

Pfizer, which says its vaccine has proven to be safe and effective in children, could be approved for use in kids as soon as November.

Meanwhile in Illinois, a mask mandate remains in place. On Monday, Pritzker said he is unwilling to lift it until the state shows a further decline in COVID-19 cases, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Vaccine Mandatory For Some State Workers, School Masks Required

Here's who's already required to get vaccinated in Illinois, or face regular COVID-19 testing:

• Health care workers, including nursing home staff
• State employees in congregate settings — including prisons, veteran homes and state shelters
• Teachers and staff at all pre-K to 12 schools, as well as staff at Illinois colleges
• Illinois college students

The deadline for those groups to receive at least a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine was extended to Sept. 19. Those who receive a religious or medical exemption must follow a COVID-19 testing schedule.

In Chicago, all city employees — including police — must submit proof of vaccination by Oct. 15, but the Fraternal Order of Police last week said it had negotiated a temporary reprieve from the mandate for officers, ABC Chicago reported.