Are schools allowed to require proof of vaccination status?

[Anonymous]

Yes, they usually already do, pre Covid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they usually already do, pre Covid.

Except for those are for required vaccines. The COVID vaccine is not required by law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yep. We have a folder for our class that included emergency procedures and info on allergies and vaccine exemptions.

But would you be given the info for a vaccine that is not required?

Like an annual flu shot. You don’t know who gets that year to year.

[Anonymous]

I'll say it again...the ones who don't want to show their vaccination cards aren't vaccinated. Stop with the hiding..step up and be responsible!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. They are allowed to require proof of any vaccination.

OP here. I understand the point about requiring proof of other vaccines. But a kid's MMR vaccination status isn't publicly known to their teachers and classmates, so no one would know that a kid's family has a religious or medical exemption for that vaccine. That's not true with this vaccination, at least if vaccinated kids are allowed to go maskless while the unvaccinated kids have to wear masks. It just feels like very private information that is made public by the distinction that schools might draw. I'm a little worried that unvaccinated kids will made to feel "other" if schools allow vaccinated kids to take off masks. I wonder, too, if teachers will treat kids differently if they are masked/unvaccinated, even on a subconscious level.

I am a teacher and I always know which of my students are vaccinated for regularly required vaccines because anyone who is out of compliance gets a letter from the nurse. I am responsible for making sure those letters get in backpacks.

But if my kids never got such a letter (which they wouldn't, in our case because they are both summer birthdays and so their vaccines come due in July and are taken care of before they return to school) would you have any way of knowing whether they're all caught up, or have a religious or medical exemption on file? Because neither of those kids get letters.

Also, are't the letters sealed? I teach in another state where the letters would be sealed, so I just know "letter from nurse" and not whether it's "you're late on one dose of one vaccine" or "you have no vaccines" or "your kid failed the vision screening please talk to your doctor".

[Anonymous]

Nobody is required to show proof of vaccination status. But if you don’t provide proof and you are exposed to covid, then you may have to quarantine. Think of it as an incentive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nobody is required to show proof of vaccination status. But if you don’t provide proof and you are exposed to covid, then you may have to quarantine. Think of it as an incentive.

This. The APS guidance posted on the website for fall 2021 says just this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. They are allowed to require proof of any vaccination.

OP here. I understand the point about requiring proof of other vaccines. But a kid's MMR vaccination status isn't publicly known to their teachers and classmates, so no one would know that a kid's family has a religious or medical exemption for that vaccine. That's not true with this vaccination, at least if vaccinated kids are allowed to go maskless while the unvaccinated kids have to wear masks. It just feels like very private information that is made public by the distinction that schools might draw. I'm a little worried that unvaccinated kids will made to feel "other" if schools allow vaccinated kids to take off masks. I wonder, too, if teachers will treat kids differently if they are masked/unvaccinated, even on a subconscious level.

There is a scientific reason to treat vaccinated and unvaccinated kids differently. If you are so concerned about your kid feeling other, get them vaccinated. Otherwise, you need to be ok with the consequences of your decision not to vax your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. They are allowed to require proof of any vaccination.

OP here. I understand the point about requiring proof of other vaccines. But a kid's MMR vaccination status isn't publicly known to their teachers and classmates, so no one would know that a kid's family has a religious or medical exemption for that vaccine. That's not true with this vaccination, at least if vaccinated kids are allowed to go maskless while the unvaccinated kids have to wear masks. It just feels like very private information that is made public by the distinction that schools might draw. I'm a little worried that unvaccinated kids will made to feel "other" if schools allow vaccinated kids to take off masks. I wonder, too, if teachers will treat kids differently if they are masked/unvaccinated, even on a subconscious level.

I am a teacher and I always know which of my students are vaccinated for regularly required vaccines because anyone who is out of compliance gets a letter from the nurse. I am responsible for making sure those letters get in backpacks.

+1

Medical and religious exemption are not considered out of compliance so you would never get any notification.

But for those who are truly concerned that your school is swamped with unvaccinated kids, you are wasting your time. The State of VA publishes the actual numbers. For Arlington Co., it is usually less than 5 at any given school. Sometimes it's just 1. Some private schools report the information as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. They are allowed to require proof of any vaccination.

OP here. I understand the point about requiring proof of other vaccines. But a kid's MMR vaccination status isn't publicly known to their teachers and classmates, so no one would know that a kid's family has a religious or medical exemption for that vaccine. That's not true with this vaccination, at least if vaccinated kids are allowed to go maskless while the unvaccinated kids have to wear masks. It just feels like very private information that is made public by the distinction that schools might draw. I'm a little worried that unvaccinated kids will made to feel "other" if schools allow vaccinated kids to take off masks. I wonder, too, if teachers will treat kids differently if they are masked/unvaccinated, even on a subconscious level.

If your child is attending a public school, than teachers do know the status of your child's vaccination status if that's the case. Either you've been vaccinated or medically exempt and are in class *or* on the first day of school, you're flagged and sent to a location until your vaccine status is cleared.