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- The measure doesn’t go into effect for 90 days, a significant window during which the vaccines are likely to receive full FDA approval.
- The provision also says schools cannot “discriminate” against students or staff who have not received such a vaccine.
- The vaccine provision was added as an amendment to a bill regarding education opportunities for military children.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) on Wednesday signed legislation prohibiting public schools, colleges and universities from requiring students to be immunized with vaccines that have yet to receive full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The legislation applies to the three COVID-19 vaccines currently being administered in the U.S., which have only been granted emergency use authorization.
The measure doesn’t go into effect for 90 days, a significant window in which the vaccines are likely to receive full FDA approval.
“We are confident the three main COVID vaccines — the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — will receive full FDA approval,” DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney told The Cincinnati Enquirer, noting that the approval will reduce vaccine hesitancy.
The vaccine provision was added as an amendment to a bill regarding education opportunities for military children.
The provision also says schools cannot “discriminate” against students or staff who have not received such a vaccine. Under the measure, schools and colleges are not allowed to require unvaccinated people to adhere to protocols such as mask-wearing or social distancing.
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The move comes as schools in the state are working on policies for the upcoming school year.
Top Senate Democrat Kenny Yuko on Wednesday said he was disappointed with the decision.
“Public schools and universities in Ohio should be able to create policies to keep their students and employees safe,” Yuko tweeted.
“Vaccines are safe and effective. They have saved American lives and have allowed us to make so much progress against Covid-19, but we need to remain vigilant. This is not the time to let our guard down,” he wrote.
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