State bill requiring COVID vaccine for schoolkids opposed by Stanislaus County leaders
Stanislaus County supervisors took a stand Tuesday against a state bill calling for a COVID vaccination requirement for children in schools, childcare centers and nursery care.
The item voicing the county’s opposition to SB 871, written by state Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, was on the board’s consent agenda for routine approval.
A central issue in the county’s opposition to Pan’s legislation is removal of the personal belief exemption, which has traditionally allowed some parents to opt out of vaccination requirements.
“It would remove the personal belief exemption from any future or additional immunization requirements that are deemed necessary by the California Department of Public Health,” said the county staff report for Tuesday’s agenda item. “SB 871 would create hardship for parents who exercise their right to ask for the exemption for their children.”
Scott Kuykendall, county superintendent of schools, also is opposing Pan’s bill, and last year asked Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration to reconsider the governor’s decision to mandate COVID vaccine for school children for in-person attendance. Newsom’s forthcoming mandate for schoolchildren could go into effect in July.
Kuykendall suggested the governor’s mandate be a recommendation, instead.
Supervisor Mani Grewal was the only county supervisor to comment on the state senator’s bill. Grewal said he was proud of the county’s effort to provide the COVID vaccine to everyone who wants it, but SB 871 is a “one-size-fits-all” proposal that “does not adequately address local conditions.”
Stanislaus County’s vaccination rate is below the average statewide and the level of compliance with a COVID vaccine mandate for schoolkids may be a considerable issue, if the mandate is imposed.
Joni Griepp, a parent, told county supervisors that more than 85% of local children in ages 5 to 11 are not fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. The county’s public dashboard, last updated March 21, shows 14.5% of children in that age group fully vaccinated and 20% partially vaccinated.
Another bill concerns law enforcement
Pan also authored a bill to require sheriffs and peace officers to enforce public health orders in California.
Senate Bill 1464 has language that would cut off funding for law enforcement agencies that proclaim opposition to public health orders. The funds denied to police agencies would be redirected to public health services.
Stanislaus Sheriff Jeff Dirkse has consistently said that deputies won’t enforce state health orders, such as COVID-related business closures or past requirements to wear masks in certain settings. There is no record of the sheriff opposing health orders.
Griepp claimed that Stanislaus County Public Health Officer Julie Vaishampayan’s name was on a letter expressing support for SB 1464.
County Chief Executive Officer Jody Hayes said Vaishampayan is a member of a statewide association of public health officers and there’s no clarity on whether she took part in an association vote on SB 1464. Hayes said he had not spoken to Vaishampayan about her opinion of Pan’s bill regarding sheriff enforcement of health orders.
Vaishampayan could not be reached immediately for comment.
This story was originally published April 5, 2022 at 2:20 PM.
