Should Maryland Mandate COVID Vaccines For Students? Take Our Survey

MARYLAND — Pfizer announced in September that its vaccine is safe and effective for children ages 5 to 11, and filed a request with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to have it approved for use. If that happens, should Maryland require students to get the vaccine in order to attend school?

Some districts have required vaccines or testing for teachers and staff, including Montgomery County and Howard County. Some districts, such as Prince George's County, have vaccine or testing measures in place for student athletes in public schools.

Fill out our survey and tell us if you think the vaccine should be mandated when it's approved for younger children, and if you plan to have your young child vaccinated. The results will be featured here on Patch.

This survey is meant to be an informal collection of Marylanders' opinions. It is not a scientific survey and its results should not be used as such.

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In Maryland, more than 386,000 people between the ages of 10 and 19 are fully vaccinated, according to state data. There are about 771,955 people in that age range in Maryland, according to Census Reporter.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said the COVID-19 vaccine will be added to the list of required vaccinations for public and private school children ages 12 and up when the FDA fully approves it for kids.

“Vaccines work,” Newsom said, according to CalMatters, a nonpartisan and nonprofit journalism organization. “It’s why California leads the country in preventing school closures and has the lowest case rates. We encourage other states to follow our lead to keep our kids safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19.”