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Vaccines

Education news, analysis, and opinion about the health and policy aspects of vaccines and vaccination
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Walker, Mich.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., speaks before President-elect Donald Trump at a campaign event on Sept. 27, 2024 in Walker, Mich. Trump has selected Kennedy to serve as secretary of health and human services in his second term.
Carlos Osorio/AP
Federal What Could RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary Mean for School Vaccine Requirements?
The vaccine skeptic in line to lead the mammoth federal agency could influence schools' vaccine rules, even though they're set by states.
Matthew Stone, November 15, 2024
6 min read
A sign posted at The Vancouver Clinic in Vancouver, Wash., warns patients and visitors of a measles outbreak on Jan. 30, 2019.
A sign posted at The Vancouver Clinic in Vancouver, Wash., warns patients and visitors of a measles outbreak on Jan. 30, 2019. A new outbreak has flared in Oregon this summer, and cases have been detected in 25 states and the District of Columbia.
Gillian Flaccus/AP
Student Well-Being Measles Outbreaks Have More Than Tripled. How Schools Can Help
Getting more parents to vaccinate their children means leaning into relationships. Most states offer resources, too.
Sarah D. Sparks, July 29, 2024
3 min read
FILE - The Supreme Court is seen under stormy skies in Washington, June 20, 2019. In the coming days, the Supreme Court will confront a perfect storm mostly of its own making, a trio of decisions stemming directly from the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case about a state law that bars certain medical care for transgender minors, with the legal issues holding potential implications for schools.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Case on Transgender Youth Medical Care May Impact Schools
The justices will decide whether a Tennessee law that bars certain treatments for transgender minors violates the equal-protection clause.
Mark Walsh, June 24, 2024
5 min read
Woman applying "Welcome Back" sign to the school entrance
Leo Patrizi/E+/Getty Images
Student Well-Being CDC Recommends Shorter Isolation Period for COVID-19
Under the new guidance, students won't need to stay home from school for 5 days.
Sarah D. Sparks, March 1, 2024
3 min read
A student applies a bandage after receiving a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a nurse, at a vaccination station in Jackson, Miss., Feb. 16, 2022.
A Jackson, Miss. student receives a bandage on the arm after receiving a children's dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a nurse, at a vaccination station in the city, Feb. 16, 2022.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP
Families & the Community Vaccine Rates Remain Down, Exemptions Are Up. What It Means for Schools
New federal data show that vaccine rates among schoolchildren have not rebounded since the pandemic.
    Elizabeth Heubeck, November 10, 2023
    4 min read
    African American elementary teacher blowing nose of young culturally diverse elementary school boy during a class in the classroom.
    skynesher/E+
    Student Well-Being A New School Year, a New COVID-19 Variant. What Are Schools to Do?
    School is starting, a new COVID-19 variant is circulating, and cases are rising. Here's advice for schools.
    Arianna Prothero, August 18, 2023
    4 min read
    A hand wearing a blue latex glove lifts a syringe out of a small metal bin labeled "Moderna" that rests on a table next to bins that say "Pfizer" and "flu."
    A worker prepares syringes at a free COVID-19 and flu vaccination event in Lynwood, Calif., last month. States are not adding COVID-19 to the list of required immunizations children must receive to attend public school.
    Mark J. Terrill/AP
    States Plans to Require Student COVID-19 Vaccinations Flopped. Here's Why
    Policies mandating COVID-19 vaccines for school attendance have largely failed to materialize three years into the pandemic.
    Evie Blad, February 13, 2023
    5 min read
    A student looks back at his mother as he is vaccinated at a school-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students 12 and older in San Pedro, Calif., on May 24, 2021. California lawmakers amended a bill Thursday, June 16, 2022, that would have let preteens be vaccinated without their parents consent, instead raising the proposed minimum age to 15.
    A student looks at his mother as he is vaccinated at a school-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students 12 and older in San Pedro, Calif., in May 2021.
    Damian Dovarganes/AP
    Student Well-Being Support for School Vaccine Mandates Is Declining, Survey Shows
    A growing share of parents say they oppose routine childhood vaccines as a prerequisite for school attendance.
    Elizabeth Heubeck, December 16, 2022
    3 min read
    Doctor putting a band aid on woman's arm.
    E+
    Student Well-Being Goodbye to COVID Vaccine, Testing Mandates. What That Means for Schools
    The changes come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxed its COVID-19 guidance for schools.
    Lauraine Langreo, September 16, 2022
    3 min read
    Vaccine record.
    Bill Oxford/iStock/Getty
    Student Well-Being NYC School Vaccination Study Shows Differences Based on Race and Community
    Schools serving a majority of Asian students had the highest vaccination rates.
    Alyson Klein, September 15, 2022
    2 min read
    An information sign is displayed as a child arrives with her parent to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11-years-old at London Middle School in Wheeling, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021.
    A child arrives at London Middle School in Wheeling, Ill., in November to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11. The White House is urging schools to continue hosting vaccine clinics for COVID as well as more-routine shots.
    Nam Y. Huh/AP
    Student Well-Being Messaging About Vaccines and Boosters: 3 Best Practices for School Districts
    Officials expect the COVID-19 vaccine to become as routine as the annual flu shot. Here's what schools can do to prepare families.
    Libby Stanford, September 1, 2022
    4 min read
    Young child wearing a mask getting a vaccine.
    E+/Getty
    Student Well-Being What the Research Says Student Absences May Spike Due to Low Vaccination Rates, Weaker Immunity
    School leaders should brace for waves of respiratory infections this fall.

    Sarah D. Sparks, August 30, 2022
    4 min read
    A second grade student is given a COVID-19 rapid test at H.W. Harkness Elementary School in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 11, 2022. As a new school year approaches, COVID-19 infections are again on the rise, fueled by highly transmissible variants, filling families with dread. They fear the return of a pandemic scourge: outbreaks that sideline large numbers of teachers, close school buildings and force students back into remote learning.
    A 2nd grade student is given a COVID-19 rapid test at H.W. Harkness Elementary School in Sacramento, Calif., in February. The Biden administration plans to send millions of COVID-19 tests to school districts over the 2022-23 school year as part of its COVID-19 response.
    Rich Pedroncelli/AP
    Student Well-Being White House Outlines Key COVID-Prevention Strategies for This School Year
    Prevention best practices focus on testing, vaccinations, and school building ventilation.
    Libby Stanford, August 17, 2022
    4 min read
    Image of young boy wearing a mask getting a bandage applied after a vaccine.
    E+
    Student Well-Being What the Research Says COVID Vaccination Rates for Kids Are Stalling. What It Means for Schools
    What's a school to do when just 1 in 3 elementary students are on track to be fully vaccinated by the end of the school year?
    Sarah D. Sparks, May 24, 2022
    5 min read