School Staff Vaccination Rates 'Far Outpace' WA's Average: OSPI

OLYMPIA, WA — Nearly 90 percent of Washington's K-12 school staff are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 according to a new update from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Over the summer, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued several mandates requiring employees in several sectors be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, including state employees, health care workers — and all school staff. Following that mandate, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal says Washington's teachers came together to protect kids as best they could.

“Our K–12 workforce really stepped up in a way that further protects themselves, their students, colleagues, families, and their communities at large,” Reykdal said. “With our adherence to safety protocols and nearly 90 percent our staff vaccinated, our schools remain one of the safest environments for our children.”

According to data released by the OSPI, as of Oct. 18:

• 90.4 percent of classroom employees were fully vaccinated.
• 87.6 percent of school building employees were fully vaccinated.
• 86.9 percent of district office employees were fully vaccinated.
• 9.6 percent of employees obtained religious exemptions.
• 0.7 percent of employees obtained medical exemptions.
• 0.5 percent have initiated vaccination, but are not fully vaccinated.
• 0.3 percent did not get vaccinated and did not obtain an exemption.

“Our school employees are fully vaccinated at rates of 14–18 percentage points higher than the statewide average of vaccinated adults in Washington,” Reykdal said. “This means our students are more likely to come into contact with an unvaccinated adult at the grocery store, a restaurant, or another community area than at their school.”

Reykdal is correct that the school's vaccination rate is much higher than the statewide average — 72.5 percent of Washington's total population 12 and up is fully vaccinated — but the vaccination rate among K-12 staff is slightly lower than some other mandated groups. 91 percent of state employees were fully vaccinated when the mandate came due, as were 92 percent of King County employees. Still, the OSPI says the numbers are a very good sign.

“I’m very proud of our school employees!” Reykdal wrote. “As a parent and as an educator, it feels good to know that educators are always leading in their communities to support our children’s health, safety, and learning.”