The Associated Press
Friday, May 7, 2021
LAS VEGAS — Nevada's higher education system is moving toward generally requiring students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to return to campus in the fall semester.
The system's announcement Thursday said its possible vaccination mandate is contingent on full authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for COVID-19 vaccines and then approval by the state Board of Regents and the State Board of Health.
COVID-19 vaccines are currently available under emergency use authorizations by federal officials.
The Nevada system said students and their families in the meantime should prepare for a mandate to be imposed "with some limited exceptions."
"I fully support the implementation of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students once it is legally viable," Chancellor Rose Melody said. "Our students cannot afford further disruptions to their education if the virus is allowed to spread unabated, which continues to be a concern especially during the colder months."
As of mid-April, the system said it didn't have plans to mandate vaccinations for returning to campus.
The system includes eight colleges and universities.
The fall semester begins in late August.
Numerous public and private colleges and universities across the country, including the University of California and California State University systems, have announced vaccination requirements.
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