KSA: 2 Covid-19 vaccine doses compulsory for return to school

The Ministries of Education and Health in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) confirmed that students older than 12 years will have to receive two doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine before the start of the 2022 academic year.

It stressed that all students over the age of 12, and those working in the education sector, must receive full vaccination, for a “safe return” before the start of the new school year, at the end of August 2021.

A Safe return to schools

The two ministries also said in a joint statement that the latest restrictions come “in preparation for the return of full attendance for the next academic year, and to protect the safety of the educational community.”

They stressed the need to receive the full vaccination for all students, in addition to university students and the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training.

The statement urged the included groups to expedite receiving the first dose of the vaccine, “to complete the second dose before the start of the school year on August 29, 2021”, to allow an opportunity for three weeks between them.

Vaccine provision

The Ministry of Health pledged that it will provide vaccinations as well as appointments for students, educational, training and administrative cadres before the start of the new school year.