Colorado State University System Chancellor Tony Frank announced CSU’s Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses will require COVID-19 vaccinations for students, faculty and staff for the fall 2021 semester.
According to the press release from Wednesday afternoon, the requirement is conditional and will depend on the United States Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of at least one vaccine.
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Currently, the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines available in the U.S. have emergency authorization from the FDA, but none have full approval, which requires further testing and studies.
The CSU System said the decision is not finalized and will be discussed further at the CSU System Board of Governors meeting May 6. At that time, the Fort Collins and Pueblo campuses will provide more information on what this requirement looks like for students, faculty and staff, the release said.
“This action is in accord with our belief that the science around COVID-19 and the vaccines is clear and compelling, and it is in line with other typical, existing vaccine requirements for students on our campuses,” the press release said.
Anyone who meets the vaccine exemption standards required by state and federal law will also be exempt from CSU’s requirement, according to the release.
“We believe it is also in keeping with the best guidance received from federal, state and local public health authorities and supports our goal of returning to in-person learning as soon as possible — and to the fullest extent possible — under public health guidelines,” the press release said.
Serena Bettis can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @serenaroseb.
