Portland State University announced Wednesday that it will require all students attending classes at its downtown Portland campus to be vaccinated against COVID-19 when fall term classes begin in September.
In an effort to make COVID-19 vaccines more accessible to its community, PSU will host a vaccine clinic on campus this month that will be open to all students, staff and faculty, along with their family members.
“All of us are eager to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and come together again in person as a campus community,” said PSU President Stephen Percy. “Widespread vaccination is our clearest and best path toward that future. These vaccines have been proven safe and effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, and PSU is committed to being a partner in the public health of our region.”
PSU has been actively encouraging students and employees to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible and able. Starting Fall term, students coming to campus will need to verify their vaccinated status unless they are claiming a personal, medical or religious exemption.
“The vaccine will protect you but it will also protect others including your family, your classmates and the rest of Portland,” said Carlos Crespo, Professor in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health and PSU’s Vice Provost of Undergraduate Training in Biomedical Research. “PSU is an urban campus and we need to have the best layer of protection we can against the virus. The vaccine is that best layer of protection and we have enough data to show that it’s safe for everyone.”
The Center Student Health and Counseling will continue to provide COVID-19 testing services and is an approved vaccine site.
Vaccinations will also be required for faculty and staff in the fall term. Details of that requirement will be determined in consultation with faculty and staff unions.
Source: PSU