Teachers Union Leader Endorses Vaccine Mandates for Educators

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In a significant shift from her previous position, the President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Laura Jenkins, has publicly expressed support for vaccine mandates among educators. During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Jenkins emphasized the need for collaboration with employers on vaccine policies rather than opposing them. “Given the alarming rise of the Delta variant, it’s essential that we take a firm stance on this matter,” she stated, highlighting the variant’s contagiousness akin to that of chickenpox as outlined by the CDC.

The AFT, representing 1.7 million members across the U.S., is the second-largest teachers union. Jenkins noted that educators are among the most vaccinated professions, with the majority of her members already vaccinated. “Vaccinations in educational settings are not a new concept,” she added.

Previously, Jenkins had advocated for vaccinations as the best defense against the virus but stopped short of supporting a mandate. Now, acknowledging that “the circumstances have changed,” she expressed deep concern for children under 12 who are ineligible for vaccination, which motivated her to speak out based on her personal convictions. She also mentioned that if mandates are implemented by employers, they should allow for religious and medical exemptions.

According to the White House, nearly 90% of educators and school staff are vaccinated, although a recent survey found that around 11% of teachers remain unvaccinated. In comparison, about 71% of adults in the U.S. have received at least one vaccine dose. Becky Allen, President of the National Teachers Association, has also recently encouraged vaccination but has refrained from calling for a mandate.

The issue of vaccination mandates continues to spark debate across the country, particularly after President Joe Biden announced that federal employees must be vaccinated to keep their jobs. With governors in states like Florida and Texas banning mask mandates in schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Mark Richards stated that vaccine and mask discussions should not be politicized. Louisiana has reported a surge in hospitalizations, surpassing previous records.

“There are various ways to accommodate differing views on these policies, which is why collaboration is crucial,” Jenkins concluded.

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Summary:

Laura Jenkins, President of the American Federation of Teachers, has reversed her previous opposition and now endorses vaccine mandates for educators, citing the urgent need to protect children under 12 amid rising Delta variant cases. As the conversation around mandates continues, Jenkins highlights the importance of collaboration on vaccine policies and accommodating exemptions.