Largest Teachers’ Union Now Endorses Mandatory Vaccinations for Educators

The foremost teachers’ union in the United States is now advocating for mandatory vaccinations for educators, as well as regular testing for those who choose not to get vaccinated. As the new school year approaches, parents across the nation are increasingly concerned about keeping their children safe from COVID-19, especially since vaccines are not yet available for children under 12.

The president of the National Educators Association (NEA), Jamie Thompson, has shifted the organization’s stance, expressing support for mandatory vaccinations. “Educators are eager to return to the classroom, and the safety of students is our top priority. The NEA has consistently maintained that we must adhere to scientific guidance, which indicates that COVID-19 vaccines, alongside other safety protocols, are our strongest defense against this virus,” Thompson stated. She also highlighted that approximately 90% of the NEA’s three million members have already received the vaccine.

Thompson suggested that for those educators who remain unvaccinated, regular COVID-19 testing should be an acceptable alternative. “We believe that implementing vaccine requirements and providing accommodations are responsible and necessary steps to ensure the safety of our school communities and protect our students,” she added. She emphasized that teachers should have a say in the implementation of vaccine mandates, in collaboration with local and state authorities. Some states, including California, have already adopted such policies.

However, vaccinations alone may not suffice to curb the spread of the Delta variant, which has proven to be highly contagious. “Educators must remain engaged in creating additional mitigation strategies—such as testing, contact tracing, mask-wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene, and enhanced cleaning protocols,” Thompson explained.

Throughout much of the pandemic, there was a common perception that children were less vulnerable to COVID-19. However, the Delta variant has changed that reality, with increasing numbers of children being hospitalized daily across the U.S. Hospitals in areas severely impacted by the virus, such as Florida and Texas, are nearing capacity for pediatric patients—recently, a Dallas facility reported having only two available beds for young patients.

The debate over mask mandates adds to the complexities of returning to school, with millions of children heading to classrooms without them this year, which heightens risks for everyone involved. The president of another significant teachers’ union, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), is considering a similar recommendation to the NEA’s stance. “Children under 12 are unable to receive vaccines, and the Delta variant is highly transmissible. We must prioritize the safety of our schools while ensuring that kids can attend in person,” AFT leader Linda Carter shared with the media. “Vaccines are the most crucial measure, followed closely by masks.”

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Summary

The NEA has shifted its position to support mandatory vaccinations for educators, with an alternative option for regular testing for those unvaccinated. This change comes amid rising concerns about COVID-19 safety as the school year begins, particularly with the spread of the Delta variant and the inability of children under 12 to get vaccinated. The AFT is contemplating similar measures to ensure the safety of students and educators alike.