{"id":162722,"date":"2021-08-24T16:35:34","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T20:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breaking911.com\/?p=162722"},"modified":"2021-08-24T16:35:34","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T20:35:34","slug":"ohio-state-university-announces-covid-vaccination-requirement-for-all-students-faculty-staff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breaking911.com\/ohio-state-university-announces-covid-vaccination-requirement-for-all-students-faculty-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"Ohio State University announces COVID vaccination requirement for all students, faculty & staff"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson sent the following message to students, faculty and staff today (Aug. 24).<\/p>\n

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:<\/p>\n

The rising prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant is fueling the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations \u2013 including in young and otherwise healthy unvaccinated people. Central, southern and southeastern Ohio have now recorded the highest number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients since January. Further, the number of hospitalized patients in these areas of the state rose an alarming 448% between mid-July and mid-August.<\/p>\n

Throughout the pandemic, the university has taken measures to help keep our Ohio State community safe and healthy. With Monday\u2019s news that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, Ohio State will now require every student, faculty and staff member to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The university is taking this step because vaccines are the safest and most effective form of protection against COVID-19. We are focused on enhancing the health and safety of our community. This step will increase our ability to support our students in continuing their educational experiences as well as help protect our current and the state\u2019s future workforce.<\/p>\n

Scientists have learned a significant amount about the Delta variant, and this research underscores why being vaccinated is critical to combating COVID-19. Studies show that the Delta variant can be orders of magnitude (in one study, 1,000 times) more severe and it affects younger people in higher percentages than the original coronavirus strain. Additionally, vaccinated individuals can transmit the Delta variant \u2013 at least for the first few days that they are infected \u2013 even if they are not sick themselves. These factors combined mean it is also much more transmissible than the initial strains of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

The good news is that vaccinated individuals, though they can get COVID-19, are less contagious than unvaccinated individuals and they are significantly less likely to be hospitalized or die from the virus. Masks also continue to be an effective tool at combating the spread of COVID-19. That is why we are implementing our vaccine requirement with urgency as well as continuing our protocol to require everyone to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.<\/p>\n

The deadline for all Ohio State students, faculty and staff to have at least the first dose is Friday, October 15, 2021. For people receiving a two-dose sequence, the second dose deadline is November 15, 2021. This vaccination requirement mirrors the Wexner Medical Center\u2019s\u00a0announcement<\/u><\/a>. More than 73% of our community has had at least one shot already, and this step will further protect us all. We also stand the best chance of continuing to enjoy the traditions that we love throughout the academic year with higher vaccination rates in our campus community.<\/p>\n

If you have already been vaccinated, thank you. Details about the reporting process will be announced in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

Getting your vaccine is\u00a0free and easy<\/u><\/a>:<\/p>\n