Governor Gavin Newsom announced the United States first vaccine mandate for California students on Oct. 1. 

“We are announcing here today, a statewide requirement for in-person instruction for all of our children; to add to a well established list that currently includes ten vaccinations and well established rules and regulations that have been advanced by the legislature for decades. To add to that list; the vaccination for Covid-19,” said Newsom. 

The mandate will take effect as soon as the Food and Drug Administration fully approves the vaccine for children over the age of 12. When the vaccine is approved for students ages five to 11, they will need to get vaccinated as well.

“I think it’s a good thing because people won’t miss school if they get exposed, but it should also be an option to not get it for some reasons,” said school senior Trinity Chapman. 

The mandate pertains to all public school students that want to attend in-person classes and who are eligible to receive the vaccine. However, the state will allow exemptions to children with certain health issues or religious beliefs. 

Students who are not exempt from getting the vaccine and refuse to get vaccinated will be sent home and forced to do distance learning.