More than 100 colleges in the US are mandating their students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before in-person classes recommence this fall, a New York Times survey found.
Schools such as DePaul University, Emory University, and Wesleyan University said they will only allow students to attend in-person classes if they have already received a shot.
The decision was made as COVID-19 cases at colleges and universities in the country continued to rise during the spring.
The majority of schools with vaccine mandates are private institutions. However, a growing number of public schools are also announcing similar requirements for the fall.
The University System of Maryland, for example, said it is important that their students are vaccinated because the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 is more contagious.
More Schools Adopt Vaccination Requirements
The University of Massachusetts at Lowell (UMass Lowell), Drew University, and Washington State University are among the schools that recently announced they are adopting such health policies.
“Consistent with the growing consensus of colleges and universities across the country, UMass Lowell will require all residential and commuter students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the beginning of the fall semester to live, learn, or visit any UMass Lowell campus or property,” UMass Lowell said in a statement.
The University of Portland, meanwhile, said it will grab the opportunity to vaccinate its students since not all areas in the world have enough supply of vaccines.
All Colleges Urged to Have Vaccine Mandate
The American College Health Association suggested that all colleges and universities in the country must prioritize safety when in-person classes resume in September.
The group said many students and employees are “at high risk” for severe illness and complications brought by COVID-19.
“A COVID-19 vaccination requirement helps to protect the campus via community (herd) immunity. Importantly, protection is also provided to the community around the campus,” it explained.
