Should Covid-19 vaccines be mandated in New England school systems?
by Bridget Adams
May 27, 2021
The coronavirus has taken the world by storm. The deadly virus struck us without warning or preparation, leaving 3.9 million dead. With the hard work of scientists around the nation, a major breakthrough has occurred. Covid-19 vaccines have now been released and open to the public. Will these vaccines dwindle the amount of covid cases? Will we finally get a sense of normalcy? Our perspectives on life have changed, and it has allowed the world to pause and reflect. Along with the buzz surrounding the vaccine, people have mixed opinions regarding whether or not the vaccine is safe.
Covid disrupted students' educations with the transition to fully remote learning. Many students struggled to keep up with school throughout quarantine. Maintaining grades and a healthy mentality became all the more difficult once covid struck. With millions of students across the world suffering, schools are eager to open and get back to in school learning.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the covid-19 vaccines are effective tools in preventing further cases. Clinical trials have proven the vaccines provide high proficiency rates against severe side effects of the virus. With evidence of the vaccines being successful, many schools in New England have declared that vaccines will be mandated for the upcoming school year. Boston College is one of the 26 universities in New England that are requiring the covid vaccine. President of Boston College William P. Leahy says, “Promoting the health and safety of our campus community and surrounding neighborhood is essential and a priority for everyone.” Mandating the vaccines will allow social distancing and mask regulations to be more lenient, creating a “new normal.”
Now what are students' opinions on vaccine mandates? I interviewed three students on their opinions of the vaccine. Two students are currently seniors at Yarmouth High School, and one attends college at the University of Southern Maine. I also interviewed two staff members at Yarmouth High School, Amy Roberson and Amy Bongard, to get insight on their thoughts. The first student, Jenna Calthorpe, is fully vaccinated as of the past month. She said, “I don’t have strong feelings towards whether people at school get the vaccine, and the same goes for schools requiring it. If people want to put themselves at risk: that's on them.” Jenna also said she would feel more comfortable if schools require vaccines for the upcoming school year.
The second senior from Yarmouth High School requested to remain anonymous. They mentioned that they have never been vaccinated for any virus, and their family doesn’t support it. After being asked if they have received the covid vaccine, and or are planning to get it, they said, “I have not received the covid vaccine, I do not plan on getting it now, but I might in the future. I feel that if the majority of students are vaccinated, that is good. But again if a student does not want it and it goes against their beliefs, then they shouldn’t feel required to get it. Either way I will still be wearing my mask, even if I was vaccinated.” This shows the two different perspectives that students at Yarmouth High School have. Although the vaccine is proven to be efficient, people still have their doubts.
Laura Hamilton, the last student I interviewed, attends the University of Southern Maine. After her freshman year was cut short, she is eager to get back into school this fall. She stated, “Yes, I have received the Covid vaccine. I feel like it should be mandatory, unless there are complications such as people with certain religious beliefs or health issues that interfere with getting the vaccine. I would feel more comfortable with the vaccine being mandated.” These three students have varying opinions and thoughts on the covid vaccine mandate. It is very important that students are given the opportunity to speak about their beliefs, especially when it comes to something as important as this.
Amy Roberson, the librarian at YHS, says, “I don’t know if it is possible for public schools to require vaccination given the controversy surrounding the vaccine. Perhaps when the covid vaccine is further studied and FDA approved instead of approved under the Emergency Use of Authorization, it will be more feasible to acquire. I wish we could require vaccination for covid and other preventable diseases.” She goes on to explain her reasoning behind her beliefs. She says, “My one year old niece had a liver transplant last year. She will be unable to receive most, if not all, vaccines in her life. The sooner we get to herd immunity, the sooner people like her will be able to live without fear of becoming ill.”
It is true that if the majority of the population get vaccinated, we will eventually achieve herd immunity. The Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical center, states that herd immunity will make it possible to protect the population from disease, specifically those who are not vaccinated or have compromised health issues. However, it may take longer to reach herd immunity than we initially expected. Factors such as vaccine hesitancy and people fearing the vaccine could allow the vaccine to spread.
Amy Bongard, vice principal at YHS, says that she is torn on whether or not schools should require the vaccine. She says, “If it is proven to be safe and helps us return to normal, then I would like to see it considered in the same category as other required vaccinations. Yet I’m not sure we know that all children have easy, equal access to appointments.” This brings up a valid point. Not all Americans have equal access to medical services and healthcare. And considering YHS is a public high school that ranges from kids 14-18 years old, the age of consent needs to be taken into consideration. Children under the age of 18 must require a guardian's consent to acquire a covid-19 vaccine. If a child wishes to be vaccinated and their legal guardians will not consent based on their own biases, that child will not be granted a vaccine.
With the controversy surrounding vaccines, it makes it very difficult for public schools to require vaccination. Scientists have proven that the vaccine is safe and highly efficient, but is this enough to convince the public to comply?
May 27, 2021
The coronavirus has taken the world by storm. The deadly virus struck us without warning or preparation, leaving 3.9 million dead. With the hard work of scientists around the nation, a major breakthrough has occurred. Covid-19 vaccines have now been released and open to the public. Will these vaccines dwindle the amount of covid cases? Will we finally get a sense of normalcy? Our perspectives on life have changed, and it has allowed the world to pause and reflect. Along with the buzz surrounding the vaccine, people have mixed opinions regarding whether or not the vaccine is safe.
Covid disrupted students' educations with the transition to fully remote learning. Many students struggled to keep up with school throughout quarantine. Maintaining grades and a healthy mentality became all the more difficult once covid struck. With millions of students across the world suffering, schools are eager to open and get back to in school learning.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the covid-19 vaccines are effective tools in preventing further cases. Clinical trials have proven the vaccines provide high proficiency rates against severe side effects of the virus. With evidence of the vaccines being successful, many schools in New England have declared that vaccines will be mandated for the upcoming school year. Boston College is one of the 26 universities in New England that are requiring the covid vaccine. President of Boston College William P. Leahy says, “Promoting the health and safety of our campus community and surrounding neighborhood is essential and a priority for everyone.” Mandating the vaccines will allow social distancing and mask regulations to be more lenient, creating a “new normal.”
Now what are students' opinions on vaccine mandates? I interviewed three students on their opinions of the vaccine. Two students are currently seniors at Yarmouth High School, and one attends college at the University of Southern Maine. I also interviewed two staff members at Yarmouth High School, Amy Roberson and Amy Bongard, to get insight on their thoughts. The first student, Jenna Calthorpe, is fully vaccinated as of the past month. She said, “I don’t have strong feelings towards whether people at school get the vaccine, and the same goes for schools requiring it. If people want to put themselves at risk: that's on them.” Jenna also said she would feel more comfortable if schools require vaccines for the upcoming school year.
The second senior from Yarmouth High School requested to remain anonymous. They mentioned that they have never been vaccinated for any virus, and their family doesn’t support it. After being asked if they have received the covid vaccine, and or are planning to get it, they said, “I have not received the covid vaccine, I do not plan on getting it now, but I might in the future. I feel that if the majority of students are vaccinated, that is good. But again if a student does not want it and it goes against their beliefs, then they shouldn’t feel required to get it. Either way I will still be wearing my mask, even if I was vaccinated.” This shows the two different perspectives that students at Yarmouth High School have. Although the vaccine is proven to be efficient, people still have their doubts.
Laura Hamilton, the last student I interviewed, attends the University of Southern Maine. After her freshman year was cut short, she is eager to get back into school this fall. She stated, “Yes, I have received the Covid vaccine. I feel like it should be mandatory, unless there are complications such as people with certain religious beliefs or health issues that interfere with getting the vaccine. I would feel more comfortable with the vaccine being mandated.” These three students have varying opinions and thoughts on the covid vaccine mandate. It is very important that students are given the opportunity to speak about their beliefs, especially when it comes to something as important as this.
Amy Roberson, the librarian at YHS, says, “I don’t know if it is possible for public schools to require vaccination given the controversy surrounding the vaccine. Perhaps when the covid vaccine is further studied and FDA approved instead of approved under the Emergency Use of Authorization, it will be more feasible to acquire. I wish we could require vaccination for covid and other preventable diseases.” She goes on to explain her reasoning behind her beliefs. She says, “My one year old niece had a liver transplant last year. She will be unable to receive most, if not all, vaccines in her life. The sooner we get to herd immunity, the sooner people like her will be able to live without fear of becoming ill.”
It is true that if the majority of the population get vaccinated, we will eventually achieve herd immunity. The Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical center, states that herd immunity will make it possible to protect the population from disease, specifically those who are not vaccinated or have compromised health issues. However, it may take longer to reach herd immunity than we initially expected. Factors such as vaccine hesitancy and people fearing the vaccine could allow the vaccine to spread.
Amy Bongard, vice principal at YHS, says that she is torn on whether or not schools should require the vaccine. She says, “If it is proven to be safe and helps us return to normal, then I would like to see it considered in the same category as other required vaccinations. Yet I’m not sure we know that all children have easy, equal access to appointments.” This brings up a valid point. Not all Americans have equal access to medical services and healthcare. And considering YHS is a public high school that ranges from kids 14-18 years old, the age of consent needs to be taken into consideration. Children under the age of 18 must require a guardian's consent to acquire a covid-19 vaccine. If a child wishes to be vaccinated and their legal guardians will not consent based on their own biases, that child will not be granted a vaccine.
With the controversy surrounding vaccines, it makes it very difficult for public schools to require vaccination. Scientists have proven that the vaccine is safe and highly efficient, but is this enough to convince the public to comply?