That vaccine mandate — which achieved a 99% compliance rate among teachers — ended Tuesday following a 6-1 vote by the Board of Education.

The nation's second-largest school system — widely viewed as a national pacesetter in strong COVID-19 safety measures early in the pandemic emergency — had been among the last public school systems to continue a mandate. LAUSD, however, has been under pressure to change course because of ongoing litigation. Officials stressed that their actions were based on evolving science. And no one made any apologies.

"Yes, this board approved, required vaccinations, as a means of reducing transmission, reducing the severity of a disease that in this community, across this country and across the world killed millions," L.A. Unified Supt. Alberto Carvalho said. "This was a necessary requirement, and it was adopted so that schools could reopen safely based on information that was known, then accepted, then verified, then validated ... not by speculation, but by scientists."

"In 2023," he added, "we face vastly different circumstances."

Carvalho and others noted that the coronavirus has become endemic — it's not going to go away — and also said that the need for a vaccine requirement is outdated due to evolving understanding about the virus, the successes and limitations of vaccines and the availability of therapeutics.