Biden’s Education Secretary denies supporting mandatory COVID vaccines for schoolchildren.

Did Education Secretary Miguel Cardona Encourage Student Vaccine Mandates?

The Claim:

During a House Education Committee hearing, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona stated that he “did not encourage states to adopt student vaccine mandates.”

Why It Matters:

The issue of COVID vaccine mandates for minors has become a contentious topic, with the FDA approving the vaccine for people as young as 16 and the CDC recommending it for infants as young as six months. However, a majority of American parents do not support K-12 schools requiring students to get the COVID vaccine.

The Context:

Cardona became Biden’s education secretary in March 2021, just months before the FDA approved the COVID vaccine for some minors. In September 2021, Cardona declared his support for mandatory COVID vaccines for eligible children. However, during the House Education Committee hearing, Cardona contradicted his previous statements and claimed he did not encourage states to adopt student vaccine mandates.

The Analysis:

Cardona’s contradiction suggests that he now understands the controversial nature of COVID vaccine mandates for children. In 2021, he dismissed the possibility of political backlash and urged governors to work with school officials and health officials to roll out vaccine requirements. However, during the hearing, Cardona stated that he only supported local districts where they were having vaccine mandates.

The Verdict:

We rate this claim 4 Clintons.

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