Connecticut State Colleges and
Universities is requiring all returning students to have COVID-19 vaccinations
starting this fall.
The Board of Regents approved the
requirement Thursday afternoon, affecting more than 60,000 students. It includes five
public colleges and all 12 of the state's community colleges.
Professors say
schools need "herd immunity" to avoid dangerous outbreaks.
"Young people
in the age range of most of our students have lower rates of vaccination than
other segments of the population," says CCSU professor Dr. Julia
Blau.
Dr. Jess Kraybill, who
caught COVID-19 teaching at Westconn in Danbury, says she's still suffering
from "long-haul" symptoms 16 months later.
"I
had to get a special chair to use in the shower because I was too weak to be
able to stand up for more than 20 seconds or so," says Kraybill.
Students can
request waivers even for non-medical reasons, but they might have to test and
quarantine. The details are still up in the air.
"There are
students who have genuine concerns about what the vaccine requirement will mean
for them upon returning to school," says Audrey Nielsen, a
Westconn student.
UConn will also require COVID-19
vaccines this fall. Most private schools across the state, including Yale, Quinnipiac, Wesleyan and the
University of New Haven will also be requiring vaccinations.
Fairfield and
Sacred Heart are not requiring them, but they're strongly recommending it.
"I'm also at
a much greater risk of dying should I get COVID," says Kraybill.
Kraybill says she's relieved to go back to a fully vaccinated classroom.
"I
love my job, and I don't want to have to die because of it," she says.
CSCU employees are
not mandated to be vaccinated, as of now. Their unions must agree to the
decision first.