Almost two years after the start of the pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for essential workers, including teachers. This much-anticipated authorization eased the stress induced by the coronavirus for many individuals while also causing increased hesitation among others. These contrasting viewpoints sparked a long-term debate over whether school districts should issue vaccine requirements.
On Sept. 19, the Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution that required all MCPS staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Failure to comply with this mandate would result in loss of employment. While some may call this decision unnecessary or drastic, the board members reason that vaccinations are a critical strategy to help schools resume regular operation.
Since this resolution eliminated the option to be periodically tested instead of receiving the vaccine, some teachers resisted, citing concerns regarding the credibility of the vaccines and arguing that the vaccine contradicts their religious beliefs. By the start of October, MCPS faculty had nearly 1,000 signatures on a petition asserting their opposition to the mandate. The magnitude of this crisis presents the school district with a tough decision regarding whether to keep the vital vaccine mandate or give in to the opposition for fear of losing staff.
Although these employees resent this requirement, it is crucial to recognize that these dissenters are a minority of MCPS faculty. Not all staff members refuse to receive the vaccine. According to the Washington Post, of the 24,000 MCPS employees, only about 6,000 have not yet reported on their vaccination status or are unvaccinated, meaning 75 percent have already received the vaccine. Employees who consented to the vaccine are protecting themselves, their families, and their students.
However, the remaining 25 percent of staff members that are reluctant to take the vaccine contribute to a growing problem: as of Oct. 20, almost 7,000 students have been quarantined since the start of the school year. Teachers should consent to the vaccine to protect their students who may not be vaccinated yet. By complying with MCPS guidelines, vaccinated teachers set an example for students and teachers who are averse to receiving the vaccine.
The dissent among certain staff members has recently led to legal troubles. According to a WTOP interview, a teacher said, “[the vaccine would] constitute a sin in the eyes of God.” When he asked for a religious exemption, MCPS denied it, prompting him to take legal action. According to the resolution passed in September, refusing to be vaccinated could result in termination. The founder of the Center for American Liberty—the organization which filed this teacher’s lawsuit—alludes to other staff members who could follow suit, demanding an exemption from the vaccine.
While some religious concerns are legitimate, a single exception may prompt thousands to rally in opposition to the vaccine. Prominently, parents believe that the school district should do everything in its power to ensure their kids are safe at school, especially when trying to protect younger children. Without a vaccine mandate for teachers and staff, the coronavirus will continue to surge in schools, turning them into breeding grounds.
The COVID-19 vaccine mandate protects both students and faculty by preventing hospitalization from the virus. Despite criticism regarding the efficacy of the vaccine, the advantages drastically outweigh the possibility of negatives. When MCPS is presented with the decision of maintaining their stance on the COVID-19 vaccine resolution, or caving into the skepticism of staff members, the answer is clear: firmly uphold the mandate.
The decision is essential to protect faculty from the virus, especially high-risk people, and it will assure parents that their children are as safe as possible. According to an interview by MSNBC, Dr. Anthony Fauci said “I’m going to upset some people on this, but I think we should [have a mandate].”
The COVID-19 vaccine protects individuals against illness and should be embraced as a reprieve from the months of fear caused by coronavirus. Higher vaccination rates among faculty would contribute to a safer and more welcoming learning environment, and it would expedite the return to normalcy. As the Delta variant spreads rampantly, MCPS should do everything in its power to protect both employees and students. The vaccine is the first step to reap a favorable, safer outcome.
Written by Riya Khatri of Sherwood High School
Graphic by Yiting Zheng of Walter Johnson High School