The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington’s Catholic Schools Office said Aug. 4 that it will follow a District of Columbia mandate concerning COVID-19 vaccinations for public and private school students in the District.

Last month, D.C. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Christina Grant announced that all District students 12 years old and older, unless exempted, will be required to receive COVID-19 vaccines by Sept. 16.

In its statement, the Catholic Schools Office said, “The District of Columbia has informed schools that its COVID-19 vaccination mandate applies to all students, both public and private. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington intends to follow the new legal requirements and will honor religious or conscience-based exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine if claimed by parents, as well as properly substantiated medical exemptions, in accordance with the law.”