University of Hawaii requires student COVID-19 vaccinations for fall semester

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UH Hilo has recorded 10 cases of COVID-19 since April 2020. | Pixabay

The University of Hawaii (UH) announced Monday that the COVID-19 vaccine will be part of the health clearance criteria for students returning to campus for the fall 2021 semester, according to a news report.

Students will be eligible to seek medical and religious exemptions, as they currently are able to do under the current health clearance requirement. According to UH, more comprehensive details will be made available in the coming months as implementation plans are established.

“It is clear that a vaccinated campus is a safer campus for everyone and a fully vaccinated student community enables the best opportunity for a healthy return to high-quality, face-to-face teaching, learning and research,” UH President David Lassner told Big Island News.

The University of Hawaii's vaccine policy will not go into effect until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves and fully licenses at least one of the three COVID-19 vaccines currently under emergency use authorization, which is expected to occur this summer.

“This decision does not come lightly, and is based on guidance from our own health and well-being working group as well as the American College Health Association recommends that all on-campus college students be required to be vaccinated,” Lassner said.

Libby Char, director of the Hawaii Department of Health, said UH's decision to implement the COVID-19 vaccine requirement is a significant step forward for the university and the state.

"Having fully vaccinated campuses will help tremendously to create a much safer learning environment and minimize any transmission of COVID-19 from person to person,” Char said.

UH also plans to provide vaccination services during the summer and early fall for members of the UH community who arrive from other locations where they might not have been vaccinated.

In addition the university will begin negotiations with the three UH employee unions about the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccinations for staff.

Since April 2, 2020, the UH system, which has 11 campuses in Hawaii, has had 124 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The highest number of cases were found in UH Manoa with 84 confirmed cases, followed by UH Hilo with 10 and Hawaii Community College with four.

UH students and faculty are currently able to sign up to be vaccinated and the university strongly encourages all members of the UH group to do so.