Nearly three years after first mandating that students receive a COVID-19 vaccine, Harvard University announced Tuesday they are no longer necessary.
“Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) will no longer require students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” the university wrote in an update on its immunization compliance webpage.
“We strongly recommend that all members of the Harvard community stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters if eligible. Additionally, we continue to emphasize the benefits of wearing a high-quality face mask in crowded indoor settings and remaining at home if unwell,” the message continued. “HUHS considers state and federal guidance, along with advice from the University’s public health experts, in responding to COVID-19. We will continue to monitor public health data and will periodically review requirements.”
Last May, Harvard announced it dropped the requirement to receive boosters after the public health emergency ended, but the University continued to mandate initial vaccination.
Yesterday we posted @Harvard dropped its student C19 vax mandate. What is far more significant - @Harvard removed the C19 vaccine requirement for all healthcare students!! This is unprecedented as most healthcare students in the US are still required to get updated C19 shots. https://t.co/amfr9pOLRy
— No College Mandates (@NCM4Ever) March 7, 2024
BREAKING NEWS @Harvard ends their C19 vaccine requirement for students retracting their announcement several weeks ago that students only would still be mandated to take it for fall 2024 enrollment.
— No College Mandates (@NCM4Ever) March 6, 2024
The latest update came just days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated and simplified its respiratory virus recommendations, suggesting COVID can be treated like the flu. In other words, stay home until symptoms improve and you've gone at least 24 hours without a fever.
“Covid-19 is still an important public health threat, but it is not the emergency that it once was,” said the CDC's Dr. Brendan Jackson, reports The Wall Street Journal. “And its health impacts increasingly resemble those of other [respiratory viral] illnesses, including influenza and RSV.”
Critics panned the University for holding on to the requirement this long.
Congratulations to @Harvard for finally dropping its unscientific, immoral covid vaccine mandate.
— Jay Bhattacharya (@DrJBhattacharya) March 6, 2024
The commitment that top universities showed to pharma interests is a topic that needs a full airing. https://t.co/dwZoAUwUmY
Sure took them long enough... https://t.co/Q1RpzZGUXm
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) March 6, 2024
IT IS 2024!! https://t.co/NQlr4hUExv
— Mercedes Schlapp (@mercedesschlapp) March 6, 2024
According to the group No College Mandates, 61 colleges and universities are still requiring the jabs.