FDA Approval of Pfizer Vaccine Opens Door for Colleges and Universities to Mandate Vaccination

As the new academic year begins, a growing number of colleges and universities are mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for their communities following the FDA's full approval of Pfizer's vaccine. Over 100 campuses have announced vaccination requirements in the past week, bringing the total count to over 800 colleges. Many institutions have been highly encouraging or incentivizing students to get vaccinated, with about 70% of schools reported to have done so. The FDA approval has removed a significant barrier for schools, particularly in states like Ohio, where public schools and universities were previously prohibited from requiring the vaccine.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 100 campuses have announced vaccination requirements in the past week, bringing the total count to over 800 colleges.
• About 70% of schools have been highly encouraging or incentivizing students to get vaccinated, with vaccine rates on campus being much higher than those at the state level.
• The FDA approval has removed a significant barrier for schools, particularly in states like Ohio, where public schools and universities were previously prohibited from requiring the vaccine.
• Many institutions have plans in place to require vaccination, including the University of Minnesota system, the Nevada system of higher ed, and the University of Ohio State.
• The Ohio State University requires students to have their first dose of the vaccine by October 15, with those who do not meet the deadline having to take classes online.
• Vaccine mandates have been in place for other vaccines, such as meningitis, measles, mumps, and rubella, for over a century, and the court has supported their legality.
• The pandemic has made vaccine mandates more controversial, but law professor Dorit Riess says that most mandates at universities work and that most people comply with them.

Statistics:

• Over 100 campuses have announced vaccination requirements in the past week (Nadworny, 202)
• Over 800 colleges have implemented vaccination requirements in total (Nadworny, 202)
• About 70% of schools have been highly encouraging or incentivizing students to get vaccinated (Martin, 202)
• 60,000 students welcomed back to the Ohio State University campus following the implementation of vaccination requirement (Johnson, 202)
• Students at the Ohio State University must have their first dose of the vaccine by October 15 (Johnson, 202)

Sources:

• Nadworny, E. (202). NPR broadcast citing the FDA approval of Pfizer's vaccine. Elissa Nadworny, HOST: Leila Fadel.
• Martin, R. (202). Interview with Rylie Martin, assistant director of the College Crisis Initiative.
• Johnson, K. (202). Interview with Kristina Johnson, president of the Ohio State University.
• Riess, D. (202). Interview with Dorit Riess, law professor studying vaccine mandates.