Ibrahim Gardner
University students can get vaccinated for free on the NHS against meningitis and other diseases before the start of the academic year. In the UK, students are urged to contact their GP to ensure they are up to date with all free routine NHS vaccines. In the US, the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for university students has been a hotly debated topic, with some universities disenrolling students for non-compliance with the mandate, while others are still deciding whether to require students to get vaccinated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccines available | MenACWY, Measles, HPV |
| Location | University of Wolverhampton |
| Vaccines urgency | Before the start of the academic year |
| Vaccines availability | Free on the NHS |
| Vaccines protection | Against meningitis and other diseases |
| Vaccines for | Undergraduate and postgraduate students |
| --- | --- |
| COVID-19 Vaccines | More than 86% of students living on campus at Penn State University have been vaccinated |
| COVID-19 Vaccines | Cornell University requires students to get the COVID-19 vaccine to return to campus |
| COVID-19 Vaccines | Rutgers University in New Jersey requires students to get the COVID-19 vaccine to step foot on campus |
| COVID-19 Vaccines | Yale University requires students, employees, or both to be vaccinated against COVID-19 |
| COVID-19 Vaccines | More than 1,000 US colleges and universities require students, employees, or both to be vaccinated against COVID-19 |
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What You'll Learn
Vaccine hesitancy and uptake among university students
Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern among university students, with varying rates of vaccine uptake reported across different institutions and regions. While some universities, such as Cornell University, have mandated COVID-19 vaccination for students returning to campus, others are facing challenges in encouraging students to get vaccinated. This issue is not limited to COVID-19 vaccines, as vaccine hesitancy and low uptake rates have also been observed for other diseases, such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
At Penn State University, for instance, the reported vaccination rate for COVID-19 among students living on the University Park campus was over 86%, while the combined reported rate for all students, including those living off-campus, was 80%. To address this, the university implemented a multi-pronged approach, including incentivizing vaccines, indoor masking, and a testing plan for unvaccinated individuals. They also made vaccines readily available on or near all campuses and facilitated easy access to testing for students exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
At the University of Wolverhampton in the UK, there is a focus on ensuring students are up to date with their free routine NHS vaccines before starting university. This includes vaccines against meningitis and other diseases. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and leading meningitis charities are urging students to get vaccinated, as data shows that around one in eight students are unprotected against meningitis, which can have serious health consequences. The university encourages students to contact their GP and stay current with their vaccinations to prevent potentially life-threatening infections.
Vaccine hesitancy among university students can be influenced by various factors, including concerns about safety and effectiveness, religious objections, and ideological preferences. For example, a poll by ABC News/Washington Post found that only 46% of adults with children under 18 were confident that COVID-19 vaccines were safe for children aged 5 to 17. Additionally, the poll indicated that mothers were more likely than fathers to believe in the vaccines' effectiveness, and confidence in vaccine safety was higher among racial or ethnic minority groups compared to white parents.
To address vaccine hesitancy and improve uptake among university students, educational institutions, and public health organizations are employing various strategies. These include providing easy access to vaccines, requiring vaccinations for on-campus activities, offering incentives, and conducting outreach and education campaigns to address concerns and provide accurate information. By combining these approaches, universities aim to protect the health and well-being of their student populations and contribute to broader public health goals.
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Religious and medical exemptions
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, some universities have mandated that students receive a COVID-19 vaccine before returning to campus. For instance, Cornell University intends to require vaccination for students returning to its Ithaca, Geneva, and Cornell Tech campuses for the fall semester. However, this mandate includes accommodations for medical and religious exemptions.
Religious Exemptions
Students at private colleges and universities can resort to state law to protect their religious liberty interests against vaccine mandates. If the applicable state law prohibits religious discrimination in institutions of higher education, students have a means to request a religious exemption from their school's mandate. While some colleges and universities recognize religious exemptions to vaccination mandates, they may still discriminate by deciding which religious beliefs are worthy of accommodation. This discrimination can manifest in requiring a signed letter from a religious leader in support of the exemption request, which may not be feasible for students without organized religions or whose beliefs differ from their denomination.
Additionally, school administrators may not recognize that opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine based on religious principles is just as sincere and binding as any other religious objection. For example, a Catholic student who believes that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine would be a serious sin. Rejecting such a student's request for a religious exemption while granting others constitutes unlawful religious discrimination.
Medical Exemptions
Medical exemptions are also accommodated by universities mandating COVID-19 vaccines. However, specific details on the criteria for medical exemptions are scarce in the sources provided.
Other Vaccines
In addition to COVID-19 vaccines, the University of Wolverhampton in the UK urges students to ensure they are up to date with free routine NHS vaccines, particularly the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against four common strains of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, and Y) that can cause meningitis and septicaemia.
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Free NHS vaccines for UK students
University students in the UK can access free NHS vaccines to protect themselves from various diseases and infections. While there has been a recent focus on COVID-19 vaccinations for students, it is important to remember that other routine vaccines are also crucial for maintaining good health and preventing the spread of infections.
Meningitis and Septicaemia Vaccines
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and leading meningitis charities urge students to ensure they are vaccinated against meningitis and septicaemia before starting university. The MenACWY vaccine protects against four common strains of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, and Y) that can cause meningitis and septicaemia, which can lead to long-term disability, serious health complications, or even death. According to data, around 1 in 8 students are unprotected against these infections, which is a particular concern when young people gather from across the country and worldwide to start their university education.
Measles and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccines
In addition to the MenACWY vaccine, students are also encouraged to check their vaccine records and ensure they are up to date with their free NHS routine vaccinations, including measles and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines. Measles is a highly infectious viral illness, and HPV can lead to serious health complications.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
During the COVID-19 pandemic, universities worldwide implemented various measures to ensure the safety of their students and staff. While some universities strongly encouraged COVID-19 vaccinations, others mandated them for students and employees returning to campus. This led to debates about individual freedom versus public health safety, with some students and organisations filing lawsuits against vaccine mandates. However, the majority of students at universities with vaccine mandates complied with the requirements, and universities worked to accommodate medical and religious exemptions.
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COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated students
As of August 2024, surveillance testing is no longer required for students or unvaccinated individuals at Duke University. However, those who are unvaccinated are still at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and should consider getting vaccinated to protect themselves and others. If you are experiencing symptoms, you should contact Student Health or Employee Health for testing.
At Penn State University, unvaccinated students are required to undergo weekly testing. Students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should seek symptomatic testing through a University or local healthcare provider. Students living on campus or in the local community can schedule testing appointments with University Health Services (UHS) via myUHS. Students living off-campus should seek symptomatic testing through their campus health services or a local provider.
Virginia Tech University instructs students who have been exposed to COVID-19 to monitor themselves for symptoms and test themselves 5 full days after exposure, even if they are asymptomatic. Students can use an at-home rapid antigen test, and if they test positive, they must upload their results to the Healthy Hokies Portal. If the first antigen test is negative, students should take another antigen test after 48 hours and continue to follow precautions. If the second antigen test is also negative, students should wait another 48 hours and test for a third time.
North Colonie Central Schools outlines protocols for students who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students without symptoms should quarantine for 5 days from the date of exposure and wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of last close contact. Testing is recommended at least 5 days after close contact with someone with COVID-19. Students can get either two negative rapid test results 36 hours apart or a PCR test on day 5 of quarantine.
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Vaccination requirements for international students
The vaccination requirements for international students vary depending on the country and university they plan to attend. Here are the requirements and guidelines for some popular study destinations:
United States:
Many US universities, such as Cornell University, have mandated that students returning to campus must be vaccinated against COVID-19. Medical and religious exemptions are typically accommodated, and some universities also offer testing and masking alternatives for unvaccinated individuals. However, each university may have its own specific requirements and guidelines, so it is essential to check with the institution directly.
Canada:
Universities in Canada have made it mandatory for international students to be fully vaccinated with WHO-approved jabs before travelling to the country. Fully vaccinated students may not need to undergo testing before entry. The list of approved vaccines includes Moderna, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca/Covishield, among others.
United Kingdom:
While there is no mandatory vaccination requirement for international students in the UK, universities like the University of Wolverhampton strongly encourage students to be up to date with their vaccinations, particularly for diseases such as meningitis and septicaemia. The NHS offers free routine vaccinations for students to protect against these and other serious health conditions.
New Zealand:
International students planning to study in New Zealand are required to be fully vaccinated before travelling to the country. The list of accepted vaccines includes Moderna, AstraZeneca/Covishield, Novavax, and others. Travellers entering New Zealand must complete a traveller declaration and take rapid antigen tests on the first and fifth or sixth day of arrival.
Singapore:
International students entering Singapore are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. They must meet the country's COVID-19 vaccination requirements, which include post-entry obligations. Students who were vaccinated overseas must present valid vaccination certificates and update their records in the National Immunisation Registry within a specified timeframe.
It is important to note that the requirements and guidelines may change, so international students should regularly check with their chosen university and the relevant government websites for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, while some students support vaccine requirements, others express concerns about civil liberties and religious objections. Universities should consider a comprehensive communications plan to address these concerns and ensure students are aware of the reasons behind any vaccine mandates.
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Frequently asked questions
Many universities and colleges are making it mandatory for students to be vaccinated before returning to campus. Students are typically given the summer to get vaccinated and upload proof of vaccination.
Students who choose not to get vaccinated may be disenrolled from the university. However, some universities offer exemptions for medical or religious reasons.
Students are urged to be up to date with all free NHS routine vaccines, including the MenACWY vaccine, which protects against four common meningitis strains.
