California becomes first state to require COVID-19 vaccine for students

California will mandate COVID-19 vaccines for students and staff, becoming the first state in the nation to require schoolchildren to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Governor Gavin Newsom made the announcement Friday morning at Denman Middle School in San Francisco's Balboa Park neighborhood. The COVID vaccine will be added to the list of required vaccines for students to attend in-person school, CBS SF Bay Area reports.

"Our schools already require vaccines for measles, mumps and more. Why? Because vaccines work," the governor tweeted. "This is about keeping our kids safe & healthy."