Parents continue to fight vaccine mandate

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Fallbrook resident Judy Willis, a staunch anti-mandate proponent, received a reply from Dr. Candace Singh, superintendent of the Fallbrook Union Elementary District. Willis had asked the district trustees to consider a resolution similar to one approved by the Capistrano Unified School District urging Gov. Newsom to reconsider and potentially do away with an eventual COVID-19 vaccine requirement for student in-person instruction.

“We understand that there are wide ranging opinions and thoughts related to vaccines and mask wearing,” wrote Singh on behalf of the school board. “While these differences of opinion have caused much angst in our surrounding communities, we are proud that our community continues to work together in the best interest of our students, families and staff, regardless of our personal opinions.

“Our Governing Board and district leadership remain committed to following the laws and mandates that govern our work, and we will continue to do so in support of the safety and wellbeing of our students,” she continued.

The response didn’t impress Willis who said, "This response shows there is little room to work with a school board when they might have to fight for us. Instead they prefer to take the 'easy way' out. Could this be a gutless, pat answered response? As the board stands, they are taking the side of only one voice and not the entire constituency they represent. Writing to Governor Newson, as other Boards have done, requesting him to rescind his mandate, is a way to do this. Parents should have a choice."

In Willis' email to the district, she asked the board to put the topic of the anti-mandate resolution on the agenda for its next meeting.

“We are eager to continue our positive work with our parents, families, and community members in the weeks and months ahead,” Singh concluded in her response.

The Capistrano trustees approved its resolution during its Oct. 20 meeting.

Numerous parents and Capistrano community members spoke against the vaccine mandate on the grounds of individual freedom, skepticism over its safety and effectiveness, and dislike of government control. Health experts have generally said vaccines are safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Fallbrook elementary district has also received similar criticism. However, the district has continued to meet virtually without in-person visitors. A larger group has been outspoken against mandates at the Fallbrook Union High School meetings.

Fallbrook Freedom Fighters had its first Anti-Mandate Rally on Oct. 15 at the corner of State Route 76 and South Mission Road. About 250 people participated. The second rally has been scheduled for Friday, Nov. 5, at 4 p.m. at the same location. A spokesperson for the group said they plan to host a rally every month on the third Friday of the month until all mandates are dropped.

California is the first state in the nation to require COVID-19 vaccine requirements for schools. Students will be required to be vaccinated for in person learning starting the term following FDA full approval of the vaccine for their grade group (7-12 and K-6).

Newsom’s mandate, the nation’s first, applies to all students in kindergarten through 12th grade in public, charter and private schools, and all school employees. It goes into effect in the first semester, either Jan. 1 or July 1, following the Federal Drug Administration’s full approval of the COVID vaccine for each age group. Only the Pfizer vaccine is fully approved for people 16 and older. The Pfizer vaccine also has emergency authorization for use in children between the ages of 12-16.

The requirement follows vaccine mandates in several large California school districts for students 12 and over, including San Diego Unified. Newsom has encouraged other districts to enact their own mandates ahead of the state’s plan.

COVID vaccines will be among the 10 other vaccinations, such as polio, mumps and tetanus, that the state requires students to receive before starting school.

The requirement still leaves open the possibility for families to opt out. Because the mandate comes from the governor, and not the Legislature, it allows exemptions for medical, religious or personal reasons.