The Archdiocesan Catholic Schools recently announced that there would be no vaccine mandate for COVID-19 for students in Catholic schools.

No COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

In a recent post on the Archdiocese of San Francisco page, in correspondence to parents this week, Pamela Lyons, the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Superintendent, stated there would be no further COVID-19 vaccine requirement for Catholic school students this academic year.

The same post revealed that the letter was written in reaction to Gov. Gavin Newsom's declaration earlier this month that COVID-19 vaccinations would be added to the list of immunizations required for students.

In addition, the post mentioned that Lyons confirmed in an Oct. 14 letter to Catholic school parents, guardians, and employees that a directive for kids ages 12 and up would not take effect until July 1, 2022.

Lyons' letter was disseminated through Catholic schools and was prepared in both English and Spanish.

The post also said that until then, she said in her letter that the Archdiocesan leadership will thoroughly evaluate state regulations in the weeks and months ahead and will keep everyone updated as more information becomes available.

The same post mentioned Lyons expressed gratitude for the continuous partnership, flexibility, and understanding as everyone navigates these circumstances in the same letter.

She also stated that as the pandemic progresses, they would continue to prioritize kids, employees, and families' health, safety, and well-being.

Meanwhile, the post mentioned no religious exemption to immunization because it is acceptable under Catholic moral teaching.

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone also clarified in FAQs posted on the archdiocesan website earlier this month that Catholics can object in the sense of morality and that conscience exclusions are backed by Catholic teaching.

The post further stated that the choice to be vaccinated is a personal one.

People should express their concerns about vaccine promotion that is coercive or places unfair pressures on people who do not want to be vaccinated, such as refusing them the right to work, integrate into society, or receive an education.

There are 89 Catholic schools in the archdiocese's three counties of Marin, San Mateo, and San Francisco. There are 22 preschools, 55 elementary schools, and 12 high schools in the district.

According to the Catholic schools’ website, the archdiocese has little under 23,000 pupils enrolled in these Catholic schools.

Vaccine Requirements for Schools

According to the California Office of the Governor, when the COVID-19 vaccine achieves complete approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for middle and high school grades, Governor Newsom would include it in the list of immunizations required to attend school in person.

This plan will make California the first state in the U.S. to announce such a requirement.

Newsom said that the state already requires vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella. He added, there's no indication why COVID-19 wouldn't get the same treatment. Vaccines work, which is why California prevents school closures and has the fewest case rates in the country.

Newsom urged other states to follow California's lead to protect children and stop the spread of COVID-19.

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