UC, CSU To Require COVID-19 Vaccinations For All Students, Faculty, Staff
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — The two largest university systems in California say they want to require students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they return to campuses this fall.
"I honestly think it's a good idea," said Cynthia Petrossian, a student at Cal State University, Northridge. "I don't think it's as crazy as some people might think."
The joint plan was announced Thursday, but will not go into effect until one of the three vaccines available in the U.S. receives full approval from the FDA.
"Together, the CSU and UC enroll and employee more than one million students and employees across 33 major university campuses so this is the most comprehensive and consequential university plan for COVID-19 vaccines in the country," CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro said in a statement.
Students planning to return to a UC campus this fall will need to update their immunization records to indicate whether they have been vaccinated, or have an approved exception or medical exemption.
"I mean schools require whooping cough vaccination, so I think this is just a natural progression of what our world is going to be like," added Petrossian.
Unvaccinated students returning to campus can get help getting access from a student health center, but special protections may be required, UC and CSU officials said.
"Receiving a vaccine for the virus that causes COVID-19 is a key step people can take to protect themselves, their friends and family, and our campus communities while helping bring the pandemic to an end," UC President Michael Drake said in a statement.