Stanislaus County supervisors took a stand Tuesday towards a state invoice calling for a COVID vaccination requirement for kids in colleges, childcare facilities and nursery care.
The merchandise voicing the county’s opposition to SB 871, written by state Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, was on the board’s consent agenda for routine approval.
A central concern within the county’s opposition to Pan’s laws is removing of the private perception exemption, which has historically allowed some mother and father to decide out of vaccination necessities.
“It will take away the private perception exemption from any future or further immunization necessities which might be deemed needed by the California Division of Public Well being,” mentioned the county workers report for Tuesday’s agenda merchandise. “SB 871 would create hardship for folks who train their proper to ask for the exemption for his or her youngsters.”
Scott Kuykendall, county superintendent of colleges, also is opposing Pan’s bill, and final 12 months requested Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration to rethink the governor’s resolution to mandate COVID vaccine for college youngsters for in-person attendance. Newsom’s forthcoming mandate for schoolchildren might go into impact in July.
Kuykendall instructed the governor’s mandate be a advice, as a substitute.
Supervisor Mani Grewal was the one supervisor to touch upon the state senator’s invoice. Grewal mentioned he was pleased with the county’s effort to supply COVID vaccine to everybody who desires it, however SB 871 is a “one-size-fits-all” proposal that “doesn’t adequately tackle native situations.”
Stanislaus County’s vaccination charge is beneath the common statewide and the extent of compliance with a COVID vaccine mandate for schoolkids could also be a substantial concern whether it is imposed.
Joni Griepp, a mum or dad, advised county supervisors that greater than 85% of native youngsters in ages 5 to 11 will not be totally vaccinated towards the coronavirus. The county’s public dashboard, final up to date March 21, reveals 14.5% of kids in that age group totally vaccinated and 20% partially vaccinated.
One other invoice issues legislation enforcement
Pan additionally authored a invoice to require sheriffs and peace officers to implement public well being orders in California.
Senate Invoice 1464 has language that will lower off funding for legislation enforcement businesses that proclaim opposition to public well being orders. The funds denied to police businesses could be redirected to public well being companies.
Stanislaus Sheriff Jeff Dirkse has constantly mentioned that deputies gained’t implement state well being orders, resembling COVID-related enterprise closures or previous necessities to put on masks in sure settings. There isn’t any document of the sheriff opposing well being orders.
Griepp claimed that Stanislaus County Public Well being Officer Julie Vaishampayan’s identify was on a letter expressing assist for SB 1464.
County Chief Govt Officer Jody Hayes mentioned Vaishampayan is a member of a statewide affiliation of public well being officers and there’s no readability whether or not she took half in an affiliation vote on SB 1464. Hayes mentioned he had not spoken to Vaishampayan about her opinion of Pan’s invoice concerning sheriff enforcement of well being orders.
Vaishampayan couldn’t be reached instantly for remark.
This story was initially printed April 5, 2022 2:20 PM.
Ken Carlson covers county authorities and well being take care of The Modesto Bee. His protection of public well being, drugs, shopper well being points and the enterprise of well being care has appeared in The Bee for 15 years.
