Two Largest Teachers Unions Drop Opposition To Vaccine Mandates

The National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers had previously said vaccines should be strictly voluntary.

The two primary unions representing U.S. teachers have dropped their opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, a reversal that could pave the way for more requirements that school staff be vaccinated as a condition of employment. The National Education Association, which represents three million teachers and other educators, said Thursday that it now supports proposals that workers either get their shots or submit to regular testing. Several local governments and school districts around the country are already moving to implement such plans. The union had previously said vaccinations for teachers should be strictly voluntary. But in a statement, NEA President Becky Pringle said that vaccines were “the most powerful weapon” against the virus as caseloads increase around the country.