I strongly oppose any mandate for COVID vaccines for personnel or students in Virginia schools. 

COVID-19 vaccines are not the same as polo, smallpox, and other vaccinations.  They should not be compared.

COVID-19 vaccines are not yet proven for efficacy, not proven for long-term impacts, and ARE NOT fully approved by the FDA for individuals under 16 years old.  Vaccines are still maintained under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for 12 and over.  https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/comirnaty-and-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine

Under no circumstances should an emergency use drug be mandated for a child. 

Even if/when the drugs are fully approved by the FDA, it is clear that the science on this subject is not settled.  An array of experts attest to exactly opposite positions.  Children, who are proven to not be impacted by this disease in any significant way, are the lowest risk for COVID.  Forcing them to take a vaccine that they do not need, and in many cases already have natural immunity, is an authoritative measure that disregards parental rights in making decisions best for the health of their children.  Given that the scientific community has NOT reached any consensus on this matter, parents should retain the final say.

Also, the government agencies who have issued guidance and direction have proven themselves untrustworthy.  CDC, from the outset with a failed/disasterous testing protocol, up to this moment have offered inconsistent and often errant information.  There is no entity in the government that can be trusted on this subject at this time. 

Furthermore, all required vaccines have provisions for religious and medical exemptions.  The COVID 19 vaccine has no long term study data and is being petitioned to not allow religious exemptions.  

This petition, if approved, holds childrens' education and staff/teachers' livelihood hostage for an unproven and unprecedented action that has no settled science behind it.