Vaccine Mandates Could Come Soon To All SUNY Schools As FDA Nears Approval

By Lomie Blum, Interim Broadcast Editor

Last March, schools were forced to close their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, SUNY institutions, including Hudson Valley Community College, are opening their campus for the Fall 2021 semester with a potential vaccine mandate depending on the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. 

There can not be a full vaccine mandate due to New York state restrictions blocking college vaccine mandates until they are approved by the FDA.

According to the SUNY website, “the State of New York directed all public universities to mandate COVID vaccinations for students, upon the federal government’s full approval of the vaccine.” 

“All SUNY students will be required to be vaccinated to attend in-person classes. This directive is contingent on final FDA approval of a COVID-19 vaccine,” it further states. 

The FDA has not yet officially approved Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson and Johnson, or the Moderna vaccine. 

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Pfizer-BioNTech has been shown to have a 95% success rate in preventing Coronavirus infection for individuals with two doses and no prior infection. 

The Moderna vaccine was shown to have a 94.1% prevention rate, while the Johnson and Johnson vaccine holds 66.3% a success rate according to CDC reports. 

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras supports vaccine mandates for all students attending SUNY schools. 

“The state-issued vaccine mandate for the fall semester was expectedly met with a mix of reactions. And while SUNY is implementing that mandate, the plan is contingent on full FDA approval of one of the three vaccines. The timeline for that approval is unclear.” Malatras wrote in an OP-ED for Lohud. 

Currently, Malatra’s goal is to get as many students and staff vaccinated as possible. 

“So, this is my plea to students as well as faculty and staff: don’t wait to make your decision until the state mandate becomes official. Take back control now,” Malatras said. 

“These vaccines are safe. Getting yours now helps ensure that we can resume the full college experience next month,” Malatras added. 

Hudson Valley Community College also encourages anyone going on campus to also get vaccinated. 

 “To ensure the health and safety of our community, the college urges the entire campus community, including faculty and staff, to get vaccinated as well,” it is stated on HVCC’s website. 

Instead of the FDA formally approving any of the vaccines they have granted them “emergency authorization approval.” The reason that Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, or Moderna is not formally approved yet is due to the process and safety proceedings used for any other type of vaccine. 

The FDA does support people getting vaccinated despite no formal approval.

 “When you get a COVID-19 vaccine, you are choosing to protect yourself and make a difference for your children, parents, grandparents and other loved ones. Millions of people in the U.S. have already received a COVID-19 vaccine,” the FDA states. 

“For a community to be fully protected, most community members need to get the vaccine. Getting vaccinated to prevent COVID-19 will help protect you from COVID-19, and it may also protect the people around you,” the FDA adds.