News

Stanford to require COVID-19 vaccination for students this fall

University plans to accommodate those who can't take vaccine for medical, religious reasons

Stanford University is requiring students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to campus this fall, with some exceptions. Embarcadero Media file photo by Sinead Chang.

Stanford University is requiring all undergraduate, graduate and professional students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 this fall, university Provost Persis Drell announced Thursday.

"All students will be asked about their vaccine status prior to their arrival on campus for the fall quarter," Drell said in an April 22 statement.

In bold font, the statement emphasizes that the university will accommodate people who cannot take the vaccine for "medical or religious reasons" and students can request an exception. If approved, the university said exempted students are required to be regularly tested for COVID-19. The university will put in place other requirements that were not specified in the statement.

The university briefly explained that its decision was based on recommendations from public health officials at the county, state and national levels, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Stanford's COVID-19 Vaccine Governance Committee, which is tasked with tracking vaccine developments.

"We believe this approach to student vaccination is necessary to support health and safety this fall," Drell wrote. "Vaccinations are a critical component in our efforts to mitigate risk and protect one another's health within our student environment."

Help sustain the local news you depend on.

Your contribution matters. Become a member today.

Join

As a university, Stanford does not receive its own supply of vaccines. The announcement directs students to a separate university webpage that lists how they can get a vaccine, though it also acknowledges that supplies are limited.

Further details on the policy as well as an update on vaccination for faculty and staff will be announced soon, Drell said.

Also on Thursday, the University of California and California State University systems announced a proposed policy to require students, faculty and staff entering their campuses to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 starting this fall at their universities. The CSU announcement notes that the requirement is contingent on the Food and Drug Administration giving full approval of one or more vaccines and an adequate supply of fully approved vaccines.

Other U.S. universities, including Princeton University, also said this week that they'll require full vaccination from its students for the upcoming academic year. Princeton students will have to upload their vaccine record to their online student portal, according to the university's Office of Communications.

Find comprehensive coverage on the Midpeninsula's response to the new coronavirus by Palo Alto Online, the Mountain View Voice and the Almanac here.

Stay informed

Get daily headlines sent straight to your inbox in our Express newsletter.

Stay informed

Get daily headlines sent straight to your inbox in our Express newsletter.

Follow Palo Alto Online and the Palo Alto Weekly on Twitter @paloaltoweekly, Facebook and on Instagram @paloaltoonline for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

Get uninterrupted access to important local education news. Become a member today.

Stanford to require COVID-19 vaccination for students this fall

University plans to accommodate those who can't take vaccine for medical, religious reasons

by Lloyd Lee / Palo Alto Weekly

Uploaded: Thu, Apr 22, 2021, 2:12 pm

Stanford University is requiring all undergraduate, graduate and professional students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 this fall, university Provost Persis Drell announced Thursday.

"All students will be asked about their vaccine status prior to their arrival on campus for the fall quarter," Drell said in an April 22 statement.

In bold font, the statement emphasizes that the university will accommodate people who cannot take the vaccine for "medical or religious reasons" and students can request an exception. If approved, the university said exempted students are required to be regularly tested for COVID-19. The university will put in place other requirements that were not specified in the statement.

The university briefly explained that its decision was based on recommendations from public health officials at the county, state and national levels, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Stanford's COVID-19 Vaccine Governance Committee, which is tasked with tracking vaccine developments.

"We believe this approach to student vaccination is necessary to support health and safety this fall," Drell wrote. "Vaccinations are a critical component in our efforts to mitigate risk and protect one another's health within our student environment."

As a university, Stanford does not receive its own supply of vaccines. The announcement directs students to a separate university webpage that lists how they can get a vaccine, though it also acknowledges that supplies are limited.

Further details on the policy as well as an update on vaccination for faculty and staff will be announced soon, Drell said.

Also on Thursday, the University of California and California State University systems announced a proposed policy to require students, faculty and staff entering their campuses to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 starting this fall at their universities. The CSU announcement notes that the requirement is contingent on the Food and Drug Administration giving full approval of one or more vaccines and an adequate supply of fully approved vaccines.

Other U.S. universities, including Princeton University, also said this week that they'll require full vaccination from its students for the upcoming academic year. Princeton students will have to upload their vaccine record to their online student portal, according to the university's Office of Communications.

Find comprehensive coverage on the Midpeninsula's response to the new coronavirus by Palo Alto Online, the Mountain View Voice and the Almanac here.

Comments

Nancy Lowe
Registered user
College Terrace
on Apr 23, 2021 at 11:39 am
Nancy Lowe, College Terrace
Registered user
on Apr 23, 2021 at 11:39 am
Joe_Blow
Registered user
another community
on Apr 23, 2021 at 12:39 pm
Joe_Blow, another community
Registered user
on Apr 23, 2021 at 12:39 pm
No heat
Registered user
Fairmeadow
on Apr 23, 2021 at 2:33 pm
No heat, Fairmeadow
Registered user
on Apr 23, 2021 at 2:33 pm

Good.

This will protect Stanford students, staff, and faculty, and mean that we won't have an outbreak there which spreads to the surrounding community.

The Palo Alto Unified School District should follow Stanford's lead and require vaccination for all students old enough as well.



What Will They Do Next
Registered user
Old Palo Alto
on Apr 23, 2021 at 3:49 pm
What Will They Do Next, Old Palo Alto
Registered user
on Apr 23, 2021 at 3:49 pm

[Portion removed.]

Given that younger people are highly unlikely to contract the virus and get sick, it seems like an overreach on the part of Stanford and the UC/CSU system to issue these mandates. I understand that as a private institution Stanford can do most anything it wants, but for the state (i.e., taxpayer funded) schools it may be considered a violation of civil liberties as there is no state or federal law that forces people to take the vaccine and the ACLU may soon have to take a look at this.


Make Force Rare
Registered user
Fairmeadow
on Apr 23, 2021 at 7:35 pm
Make Force Rare, Fairmeadow
Registered user
on Apr 23, 2021 at 7:35 pm

Its really hard to see how Israeli cases have dropped so much if the vaccine doesn't mostly prevent people from spreading. Does it mean zero risk or zero spread? Of course not, but it sure results in a mich lower r


Alvin
Registered user
Professorville
on Apr 24, 2021 at 12:45 pm
Alvin, Professorville
Registered user
on Apr 24, 2021 at 12:45 pm

[Portion removed due to inaccuracy of statement.]

Stanford - and any other university or high school for that matter - should reverse course on their policy or face lawsuits (and liability for any vaccine adverse reactions or deaths, as the manufactures are exempt from liability, but not other organizations). [Portion removed.]


Alvin
Registered user
Professorville
on Apr 24, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Alvin, Professorville
Registered user
on Apr 24, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Anonymous
Registered user
Fairmeadow
on Apr 24, 2021 at 3:40 pm
Anonymous, Fairmeadow
Registered user
on Apr 24, 2021 at 3:40 pm

Regarding @Alvin's comments above:

Stanford has very good lawyers. I doubt very much they don't know what they are doing.

Personally I strongly support mandatory COVID vaccination and mask wearing for EVERYONE, except for those who have genuine medical conditions which need to be certified by a medical professional. I am sick and tired of all those who find all sorts of excuses of not getting vaccinated or refusing to wear a mask and thereby putting everyone else at risk.



Anonymous
Registered user
Fairmeadow
on Apr 24, 2021 at 4:13 pm
Anonymous, Fairmeadow
Registered user
on Apr 24, 2021 at 4:13 pm

[Post removed due to deletion of referenced comment.]


Alvin
Registered user
Professorville
on Apr 24, 2021 at 4:17 pm
Alvin, Professorville
Registered user
on Apr 24, 2021 at 4:17 pm
Anonymous
Registered user
Fairmeadow
on Apr 24, 2021 at 4:40 pm
Anonymous, Fairmeadow
Registered user
on Apr 24, 2021 at 4:40 pm
Jennifer
Registered user
another community
on Apr 25, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Jennifer, another community
Registered user
on Apr 25, 2021 at 12:50 pm

Stanford has every right to do this, and I'm glad UC/CSU and other universities nationwide are following suit. Granted, younger people are less likely to get sick and die, but there are older staff members.

I'm vaccinated, and I think vaccination should be a personal choice. It's a free country. As long as we reach herd immunity. I understand why some people don't want the vaccine. I also understand universities need to clamp down (for obvious reasons) and they're erring on the side of caution.

I'm curious what employers will do. I guess I'll find out when most of us return to work "at the office."


Anonymous
Registered user
Fairmeadow
on Apr 25, 2021 at 1:26 pm
Anonymous, Fairmeadow
Registered user
on Apr 25, 2021 at 1:26 pm

Regarding @Jennifer's comment above:

"I'm vaccinated, and I think vaccination should be a personal choice. It's a free country. As long as we reach herd immunity. I understand why some people don't want the vaccine."

I do NOT think vaccination should be a personal choice. Yes, this is a free country. But "freedom" should not include reckless behaviors that endanger other people's health and welfare, especially those who cannot get vaccinated for genuine medical reasons. A healthy person who refuses to get vaccinated is just like a reckless driver on the road or a factory which emits harmful pollutions. Furthermore, those who take advantage of the herd immunity created by other people getting vaccinated but are unwilling to get vaccinated himself or herself are just like people who refuse to pay tax and yet want to enjoy the protection and services that governments provide. Like tax cheats, they should be punished.


Alvin
Registered user
Professorville
on Apr 25, 2021 at 1:58 pm
Alvin, Professorville
Registered user
on Apr 25, 2021 at 1:58 pm
Alvin
Registered user
Professorville
on Apr 25, 2021 at 2:01 pm
Alvin, Professorville
Registered user
on Apr 25, 2021 at 2:01 pm

[Post removed; consecutive repeat commenting is not permitted.]


Alvin
Registered user
Professorville
on Apr 25, 2021 at 2:04 pm
Alvin, Professorville
Registered user
on Apr 25, 2021 at 2:04 pm

[Post removed; consecutive repeat commenting is not permitted.]


Alvin
Registered user
Professorville
on Apr 25, 2021 at 2:19 pm
Alvin, Professorville
Registered user
on Apr 25, 2021 at 2:19 pm

[Post removed; consecutive repeat commenting is not permitted.]


Anonymous
Registered user
Fairmeadow
on Apr 25, 2021 at 2:37 pm
Anonymous, Fairmeadow
Registered user
on Apr 25, 2021 at 2:37 pm

Don't miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic.

Post a comment

Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed.