COVID-19 Resource Page

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ
Who is required to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
All students who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine are required to be vaccinated, excluding those with qualified exemptions or conditional admissions.

What happens if my student does not get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Beginning Monday, January 10, 2022, eligible students who do not have proof of vaccination against COVID-19 will not be permitted on school campuses.

How much will the COVID-19 vaccine cost?
The COVID-19 vaccine is available to all at no cost, regardless of insurance or immigration status.

Why is the Russell Westbrook Why Not? Academy mandating student vaccinations?
We are working to ensure the highest-quality instruction in the safest environment possible for all students. Strong scientific evidence shows that vaccinations are an essential part of protecting our communities. Read more at https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/148/2/e2021052336.

Where can I take my student to get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Unvaccinated students are encouraged to visit one of five vaccine site options: City, County, or Federal Clinics; family pediatricians, local pharmacies and other healthcare providers; You can see more information on the County options at http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/hcwsignup/.

Can my child be enrolled in Independent Study in lieu of vaccination?
The school has an existing policy for Independent Study based on AB130. Parents may opt for Independent Study based on safety, not on vaccination policy. As per the policy, families who wish to inquire about Independent Study should contact their principal directly.

Will my student be required to get booster shots?
At this time, our schools are not requiring booster shots.

Do all of the COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson) fulfill the requirement?
Currently, students must receive the Pfizer vaccine if they are under the age of 18. Students 18 and older can receive Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, or Pfizer vaccines to meet the requirement. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given full approval to Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine for people age 16 and older. Approval for youths ages 12-15 is expected to follow soon.

Does my student need to carry their vaccine card with them at all times?
No. Students should upload their vaccine card and information into the Daily Pass & Google Form for MS. Instructions for how to upload can be found here for Daily Pass. HS should upload their card on this Google Form.

By when does my student need to get vaccinated?
By Monday, January 10, 2022. If eligible students do not have proof of vaccination against COVID-19 by this date, or an exemption or conditional admission, they will not be permitted on school campuses.

What does “Fully-Vaccinated” mean?
“Fully-vaccinated” refers to an individual who has received the first and second doses of the vaccine (or, in the case of Johnson & Johnson, the single required dose) and has completed the two-week period that follows to ensure maximum immunity.

My student turns 12 after Monday, January 10. How much time do we have to be fully vaccinated?
Students who are newly eligible will have 30 days after their 12th birthday to get their first dose, and must get their second vaccine dose no later than 8 weeks after their 12th birthday.

Will this requirement change regular testing requirements?
At present, our schools plan to test all students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, through the end of the Fall 2021 semester.

What do I do if I have lost my vaccination card?
If a student has lost their vaccine record, they can get a digital record at https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov.

What is a qualified exemption or conditional admission?
A qualified exemption includes a medical exemption. Students may be conditionally admitted if they are in one of these groups: foster youth, homeless, migrant, military family, or has an IEP. State law does not recognize religious or personal belief exemptions for student immunizations.

Are there religious exemptions for students?
We will have religious exemptions only for the High School.

Where can families find the Student Vaccine Exemption form?
MS STUDENTS ONLY
Parents can get the Student Medical Vaccine Exemption form from their school site or it will be available on the Daily Pass (for MS students ONLY) after October 20. Please note ONLY MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS are allowed for LAUSD/RWWNMS. The form for MS STUDENTS ONLY must be submitted on the Daily Pass in order to be reviewed and to the main office. An email notification confirming submission of the exemption form and the status of the review process will be sent to the parents/guardians making the request. Additionally, the parents/guardians will receive an email communication confirming the exemption approval or indicating that further attention is required.

HS STUDENTS ONLY
Parents can get the Student Medical Vaccine Exemption or Student Request for Religious Accommodation form from their school site or it is available on the school website here. The form must be submitted to the main office. An email notification confirming submission of the exemption form and the status of the review process will be sent to the parents/guardians making the request. Additionally, the parents/guardians will receive an email communication confirming the exemption approval or indicating that further attention is required.

How do I submit my child’s medical exemption form?
FOR MS STUDENTS ONLY- After October 20th, please sign onto dailypass.lausd.net. From the vaccinations tab, at top of menu, please select exemption and answer the questions. You will be asked to upload the document signed by the doctor as well. Families can also access the medical exemption form here. You will also need to submit a copy to the MS main office.

FOR HS STUDENTS ONLY- After October 20th, please complete the medical exemption form here and submit it to your main office.

What is the process for submitting medical exemptions?
FOR MS STUDENTS ONLY- Once the medical exemption request has been uploaded to the Daily Pass, the emails associated to the Daily Pass account will be notified. Staff members will review the submission and a follow up email will be sent once a decision has been made.

FOR HS STUDENTS ONLY- Once the medical exemption request has been submitted to the office staff, they will send it to Headquarters. Staff members will review the submission and a follow up email will be sent once a decision has been made.

Who can my child talk to if they have concerns?
If a child has concerns, they can talk to their pediatrician or healthcare provider.

What if my child has a reaction to the vaccine and has to stay home from school?
Most common reactions to the vaccine include redness/swelling at the vaccine site, fever and muscle aches/body aches. Most symptoms resolve within 48-72 hours. If a child has a reaction to the vaccine, they may take excused absences with the ability to make up their schoolwork for full credit.

Will these policies apply to students under 12 when they are authorized?
At this time, we are awaiting review of the data from the CDC and the FDA and will make a decision after talking with our partners at the public health department and other medical institutions.

If my child has already had COVID-19, do they still need to be vaccinated? Why?
While getting COVID-19 may offer some natural immunity from reinfection, it is not clear how long the immunity lasts. Because your child can still get reinfected with COVID-19 and have medical complications, the CDC recommends that those who have had COVID-19 get the COVID-19 vaccine. If your child received monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19, it is recommended to wait 90 days before getting vaccinated.

What is acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination for the verification process?
Acceptable proof includes any of the following: CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (White Card), World Health Organization Vaccine Record Card (Yellow Card), documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider or entity that provided the COVID-19 vaccines, or a California Immunization Registry Vaccination Record. The name on the document must match the individual’s name.

What if my student is sick from the vaccine and misses school?
Please follow the same process as you would if your student is sick for any other reason. You should notify the
school that the student will be out of school and send a written note or email to the school stating that your
student is out sick and how many days they will be out.

For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccine please view this FAQ  and Fact Sheet.