EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

University of Utah moves closer toward vaccine requirement

UPDATED: AUGUST 27, 2021 AT 2:33 PM

(Screen grab from the University of Utah's "Return to Campus" Webinar. Credit: University of Utah)

BY BECKY BRUCE
News Director

SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah indicated Friday it intends to move toward a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students, with more information to come next week.

The move appeared to come on the heels of a letter from Utah’s Board of Higher Education to presidents of colleges and universities in the state. Among other things, it included the following language:

In Utah, public colleges and universities may require students to receive vaccinations as a condition of enrollment if students are provided the option to opt-out of this requirement for medical, religious, or personal reasons.

Vaccine requirement coming to University of Utah?

In a statement posted to the school’s website, University of Utah officials announced they intend to pursue a vaccine requirement for students.

“The University of Utah intends to pursue requiring COVID-19 vaccination for its students,” senior leadership at the school wrote on the site. “Our expectation is to share detailed plans on the requirement — and the process for requesting an exemption based on health conditions, religious, or personal beliefs — with students early next week.”

The vaccine requirement would not yet extend to faculty and staff or to employees of the University of Utah Health System, but the statement said school officials continue to talk with state leaders about the potential for expanding a vaccine requirement to those populations at a later date.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 1,400 people had signed a petition in support of a vaccine requirement at the U.

This story will be updated.

How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
Don’t touch your face.
Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet).
If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
Obtain a flu shot.
Seek out the COVID-19 vaccine.