Seniors in high school are put under a tremendous amount of pressure when it comes to submitting college applications. Applying to schools can be difficult, but finding your “perfect fit” can be even more challenging. Many limit their choices based on tuition costs, location, size of school, and intended majors. However, your list can become even more selective when there are vaccine mandates that prohibit you from attending some schools. 

More than 1,000 colleges require their students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Students who refused to get vaccinated are not eligible to register for classes and will have their enrollment revoked. There have been several lawsuits challenging school vaccination requirements. However, this hasn’t been enough for the schools to reverse their policies. 

According to PBS, students from Indiana University have asked the Supreme Court to block any mandates that require students and employees to get vaccinated. The university’s policy does not apply to religious or medical exemptions. This goes against our First Amendment. People’s freedoms are being taken away and students are fighting back. 

A law student at George Mason University says: “It is unethical and immoral to exploit the vulnerability of students, who would lose so much by exercising their right of refusal, to take medical treatment without their voluntary, informed consent.”

A mother went online to express her concerns: “My daughter is in the nursing program at the University of Maryland and her religious exemption has been kicked back twice.” 

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said that “Our vaccines are working exceptionally well… but what they can’t do is prevent transmission.” 

Colleges should not prevent students from opportunities because they refuse to get a vaccine that does not prevent transmission. 

The CDC also states: “Anyone with Omicron infection, regardless of vaccination status or whether or not they have symptoms, can spread the virus to others.” 

At this point, most schools are only requiring the 2 vaccines aside from the boosters. After receiving the initial shot, you are protected against COVID-19 for roughly 4-6 months. The CDC claims that: “Since April 19, 2021, all persons aged >16 years have been eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.” 

It is currently 2023. Individuals who received their first two doses at that time no longer have antibodies that make the vaccine effective. They have the same immunity as unvaccinated individuals, yet only those who have never received the vaccine have restrictions placed on them. 

Only 300 schools require the updated boosters. If the schools felt that it was imperative to stop the spread of COVID, they would require all vaccines and boosters, instead of just the initial dose. The fact that they are not goes to show how little this is about the health of individuals and is simply about control.  

Virginia Tech and University of Cincinnati have recently dropped all mandates against COVID-19. However students at schools such as Yale, Notre Dame, Tufts, Harvard, and Fordham are all being required to obtain the updated COVID-19 booster vaccine. Those who refuse are looking at future punishments. 

Colleges are taking opportunities away from their students by enforcing this mandate. 

According to Newsweek, “3,429 students from Stanford, George Mason, and Cornell have signed petitions demanding for the repeal of the mandates.” 

If a student chooses to go to a college in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, the pool drops dramatically from 285 to 68 colleges due to vaccine mandates. Your choices become even smaller when considering academics, size, affordability and intended major. 

People from ages 18-50 are generally healthy individuals who have a higher survival rate then those who are elderly. We have to start to ask ourselves the reason for this mandate. Science has evolved. It is up to individuals to do what they see fit based on their health and what they believe.