FCPS requires COVID vaccinations for athletes

A COVID vaccination clinic at Annandale High School Aug. 28.

Fairfax County Public Schools will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination for any student participating in Virginia High School League winter and spring sports for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year, Superintendent Scott Brabrand announced Aug. 30. 

The new vaccine requirement takes effect Nov. 8.

It applies to all activities that require a physical, such as dance team, step team, and out-of-season practices and workouts, as well as VHSL sports competitions.

“Vaccinating our students is a critical step in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and minimizing any disruption to learning,” Brabrand said

. “The majority of pauses to instruction for our high school students come as a result of exposure during athletic activities, which the Virginia Department of Education classifies as a high-risk activity.” 

Since Aug. 1, 164 FCPS students have tested positive for COVID. 

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FCPS will work with the Fairfax County Health Department to ensure all students who wish to be vaccinated have access to the COVID vaccine before Nov. 8. This timeline allows unvaccinated students ample time to fulfill the participation requirement before the winter sports season begins, Brabrand said. 

So far, 75.4 percent of all 16-18-year-olds in Fairfax County have been fully vaccinated, and 85.7 percent have had one dose. 

The FCPS decision to require vaccinations for student athletes is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and 10 other sports and medical organizations.