Kean University in Union will deregister any in-person students who do not show proof of vaccination by August 1. The college announced that in order to safeguard the health of the Kean community, all students attending in-person classes or using any school facilities will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for Fall 2021.
Kean University has been aggressively promoting its #VaxUpKean initiative, offering vaccine appointments and requiring a COVID-19 Vaccine Form to be turned in by students. If a student has only received one dose of the vaccine by August 1, they can submit a record showing the date of the first shot and the date scheduled for the second shot. Those students requesting medical or religious exemption are required to fill out the form. For students who choose not to get vaccinated, Kean encourages them to register as a Kean online student.
The news comes as the country has seen an uptick in COVID cases due to the Delta variant and vaccine hesitancy. A recent study showed that nearly all COVID-related deaths in the US were among unvaccinated individuals.
Kean joins a dozen other NJ colleges including Rowan and Princeton University in making the vaccine a requirement for students. As of now, the vaccine is encouraged but not required for Kean University faculty and staff.