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Classroom health risks in spotlight

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Vaccinations and the safety and health of students and staff remain a priority for schools across the country, with many questioning their ability to mandate vaccinations and how far they should go with safety protocols.

“One of the questions we get most often from members, particularly in higher education, is can or should we mandate vaccines,” said Hillary Pettegrew, senior risk management counsel at Bethesda, Maryland-based United Educators, a reciprocal risk retention group that provides risk management consulting to more than 1,600 schools. “On the federal level, it’s pretty clear that they can be mandated (for employees) and very likely for students as well. But you do have to allow for certain exemptions. And some states have specific laws playing on that as well.”

Although many are expecting the school year beginning this fall to be a return to normal, Jennifer Smith, partner in the Chicago office of Franczek P.C., warns that may be premature with the number of unvaccinated individuals, particularly in lower-level schools with many children under age 12. 

“In the fall, everyone is going to be used to a new normal with no new restrictions, and I anticipate there will still be some mitigation that educators have to follow that people may not like,” she said. 

For now, schools should take a “wait and see approach” regarding their fall safety protocols, said Byron Given, area senior vice president, regional director, for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co’s public sector K-12 education practice. “As we have learned through this entire thing, sometimes it’s one step forward and two steps back. I think the worst is behind us, but we’ve been through it now. If there is another outbreak … at least we’re prepared.”

 

 

 

 

 

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