LOS ANGELES (CNS) — A statewide mandate for all school students aged 12 and over to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend classes will be delayed until at least July 2023, state health officials announced.

When Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the policy in October, he said it would not take effect until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave full authorization to the vaccine for use on children aged 12 and over. So far, however, the shots are being offered to that age group only on an emergency-use basis.

"To ensure sufficient time for successful implementation of new vaccine requirements, California will not initiate the regulatory process for a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for the 2022-2023 school year and as such, any vaccine requirements would not take effect until after full FDA approval and no sooner than July 1, 2023," according to a statement issued Thursday by the California Department of Public Health.

State Public Health Director Dr. Tomás Aragón said that despite the delay, he still "strongly encourages" all eligible residents — including children — to get the shots. Vaccinations are available for everyone aged 5 and older.

The Los Angeles Unified School District has imposed a COVID vaccine mandate of its own, although it will not be formally instituted until at least this fall. Despite that delay, the district reported recently that 90% of its students aged 12 and older have already been vaccinated.

Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Debra Duardo said the governor's decision to delay a mandatory vaccine requirement for students will help schools prepare for additional preventive measure. She cited the end of the school year approaching and that the FDA has yet to approve a vaccine for students ages 12 and older as reasons for the vaccine mandate to be unfeasible and would lead to students losing more time in school.

"This decision demonstrates California has listened to school leaders, who have expressed concern regarding the time for training and planning that the COVID-19 student vaccine mandate will require," Duardo said in a statement.

"I want to emphasize that vaccinations remain a priority for ensuring the health and safety of students and staff in our schools. We must continue to focus on encouraging our students, staff and families to get vaccinated and to follow all COVID-19 recommended safety measures," Duardo continued.