COVID-19 is still a very real threat to the University of Utah community and to the state of Utah as a whole. Almost two years after it was first discovered, countless lives are being lost and even more lives are being impacted as new variants of the virus develop. Due to these facts, we have encouraged all faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated as soon as possible. And now, following guidance from the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), we will soon announce detailed plans on requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for students.

USHE made the determination that public universities and colleges in the state can require vaccinations based on H.B. 233, a bill passed by the legislature this year. That bill authorizes vaccination requirements, provided that students are allowed to opt-out due to medical, religious or personal reasons. Details about how to apply for those exemptions as a student of the University of Utah will be included in the plans being released in the coming days.

Conversations are still ongoing about a possible vaccine requirement for faculty and staff. Once that determination is made we will make it public as soon as possible and in great detail.

We appreciate the cooperation of the campus community as we continue to deal with the pandemic. We know we all share the common goals of protecting the health of our community and furthering educational pursuits.

We are all one U.