The debate over safely reopening schools continues across the country as teachers, parents, and administrators try to work out the details of getting kids back in the classroom.
In some districts, teachers want to get vaccinated before they return to the classroom. That has complicated matters as states struggle to administer the vaccine and prioritize healthcare workers and people who live and work in long-term care facilities over teachers.
Vaccinating teachers may not be necessary to safely reopen schools, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky.
"There is increasing data to suggest that schools can safely reopen and that safe reopening does not suggest that teachers need to be vaccinated in order to reopen safely," Walensky told reporters. "Vaccination of teachers is not a prerequisite for the safe reopening of schools."
Last month, a study commissioned by the CDC found little evidence that COVID-19 spreads through schools as long as appropriate measures are taken to mitigate the spread. Those measures include wearing masks, social distancing, and thoroughly ventilating classrooms.
The Biden administration, which wants to see schools reopened within the first 100 days of his presidency, pushed back on her comments. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that Walensky's remarks were not "official guidance" from the agency. She added that the administration has "not released their official guidance from the CDC yet on the vaccination of teachers and what would be needed to ensure the safe reopening of schools.
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