California Gavin Newsom has issued a mandate requiring school children be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The mandate , issued Friday , requires all eligible public and private school children in California be vaccinated against the virus. Individuals 16 and over are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The mandate will require vaccination of students grades 7 through 12 following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's full approval of the vaccine for kids age 12 and older.  According to the governor's office , the mandate will take affect the semester following the FDA approval. Younger students would be added to the vaccine requirement after the vaccine is fully approved for younger children. Under the governor's order , students who are not vaccinated will be able to enroll in fully online school , attend independent study programs or be homeschooled.