Orange County Public Schools employees must get vaccinated by Sept. 23

The Orange County school board voted Monday to require that all staff get vaccinated against COVID-19 within the next 30 days or provide proof of an accommodation that allows them to skip the shot.

On Aug. 16, the Board of Education passed a provision indicating that, once COVID-19 vaccines become fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration, employees would be required to get vaccinated within 30 days unless an exemption is approved.

After that approval came Monday, the board acted quickly, notifying employees that the 3-day window was in effect.

Orange County schools requires testing for athletes & coaches, but not vaccines

Earlier this month, the school board voted down a staff proposal to require athletes and coaches be vaccinated.

Your Questions About Vaccines at Work, Answered

The proposal would have required vaccinations for all students, coaches, and employees involved in athletics, cheerleading, and club sports, as well as other extra-curricular activities such as chorus, marching band, and theater. Those students and staff members would have had to receive at least one dose by Sept. 7.

Instead of requiring vaccinations, students and staff involved in athletics and other extra-curricular activities will be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 twice per week.

Students returned to Orange County schools on Monday.