Philadelphia schools announce COVID-19 vaccine requirement for student athletes

Students are fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the vaccine or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
Friday, October 29, 2021
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The School District of Philadelphia announced Friday night that all student-athletes must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the health and well-being of students and staff has been our top priority," said Superintendent Dr. Williams Hite. "Requiring student-athletes to get fully vaccinated will reduce the need to quarantine teams, which will also prevent the cancellation of games, practices and potentially entire seasons."
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According to officials, students planning to participate in winter sports -- basketball, bowling, cheerleading, indoor track, swimming and wrestling -- must provide proof of being fully vaccinated by December 18. The requirement will also apply to students participating in spring sports -- badminton, baseball, lacrosse, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. Proof of vaccination for those sports must be provided by March 1, 2022.

Students are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or two weeks after a single dose vaccine.
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A religious or medical exemption applies, and student-athletes will continue to be tested twice a week until they provide proof of vaccination. Students who do not do provide the proper documentation by the deadline will be ineligible to participate until they are fully vaccinated.
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