SUNY Brings COVID Vaccine Mandate to a Close

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ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) — On Tuesday, SUNY announced that the COVID vaccine will no longer be mandated for students to attend any of SUNY’s campuses.

This comes on the heels of the end of the national public health emergency that the Biden administration announced Monday.

“The safety of SUNY’s students is our first and foremost priority, and while COVID is no longer an emergency, we will not lose sight of the impact it continues to have on us,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “Across SUNY we will continue to monitor cases and make adjustments as needed, but even more importantly, we will look to increase the overall health and wellness support we provide our students.”

Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “While it is reassuring to see the progress we’ve made against the COVID-19 pandemic, precautions are still very important to ensure that progress continues. The Department reminds people that we are fortunate to have easily accessible safe and effective vaccines. High risk individuals such as people 65 and older, as well as younger people with underlying conditions should make sure they are up to date with the vaccine. The Department will continue to consult with SUNY administrators as we monitor the data and align recommendations with those issued by the CDC as we transition out of the Public Health Emergency.”

Even though the mandate is no longer, SUNY says that COVID-19 vaccinations will be strongly encouraged for students. Faculty and staff will also be encouraged to stay up to date on vaccinations.