Tag: american college health association

Nazareth College of Rochester has joined a number of local colleges and universities in requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, staff and faculty for the fall 2021 semester.

In a statement Friday, Nazareth officials said the college is “committed to giving its students a connected learning community with in-person educational and social experiences.” To achieve that goal, and to prioritize the health of its campus and the community, Nazareth will require full vaccinations, with limited exceptions such as religious and medical.

The decision was made in accordance with the recommendations of the American College Health Association.

“The American College Health Association recognizes that comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective way for institutions of higher education (IHEs) to return to a safe, robust on-campus experience for students in fall semester 2021,” according to a statement from ACHA in April. “Therefore, where state law and available resources allow, ACHA recommends COVID-19 vaccination requirements for all on-campus college and university students for fall semester 2021, in accordance with the IHE’s normal exemption practices, including exemptions for medical contraindications. This recommendation applies to all students who live on campus and/or participate in on-campus classes, studies, research or activities.”

Vaccination requirements for students are not new. A 2018-2019 ACHA Institutional Profile Survey showed that 68 percent of respondent IHEs required measles vaccination for all students, and another 19.7 percent required measles vaccination for some students. Many campuses also require vaccinations against mumps, rubella, varicella and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

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