PA Teacher's Union Addresses Mandatory Vaccinations

PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania's statewide teacher's addressed mandatory vaccinations amongst school employees on Thursday, responding to the rising case count and mounting pressure to finalize health and safety plans as the school year approaches.

The statement from the Pennsylvania State Education Association came after the affiliated National Education Association announced its support for requiring vaccines and testing. The union noted that Gov. Tom Wolf has "made it clear" that the he will not mandate the vaccine, or mask wearing in schools, at the state level.

"Whether it is mandated or not, PSEA encourages all members who are able to be vaccinated to get the vaccines," PSEA President Rich Askey said in part of a statement.

The decision will be made at the local level, something which the union aims to support.

“Where school districts are considering vaccination requirements, we strongly encourage them to work with PSEA’s local leaders and collaborate on policies that make sense for the school community," Askey added. "PSEA will support those efforts where they occur and do everything possible to ensure that these policies are designed to reduce health risks for everyone who works and learns in public schools.

The issue of masking in schools has intensified in recent weeks with the rising case rates in Pennsylvania, as the state's positivity rate has risen to 5.4 percent. The Department of Health is following the CDC's recommendation in stating that unvaccinated individuals should wear masks indoors, but this remains guidance; the final decision is up to local districts.

The state has not shied away from mandating the vaccine elsewhere, however. Earlier this week, officials announced that employees in state-run healthcare facilities and certain long-term homes must either get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.

The PSEA estimates that between 85 and 90 percent of all school staff across the state are already vaccinated. Teachers were among the first groups, after the sick and the elderly, to receive the vaccine earlier this year. The bulk of those vaccinations were complete by the end of March.