No mandated COVID-19 vaccinations on the horizon for public Mississippi colleges – Clarion Ledger

Mississippi urges masks, more vaccinations

State of Mississippi continues to confront vaccine hesitancy as it urges people to get vaccinated against the COVID-19; state officials warn of Delta variant spread. (July 20)

AP

As COVID-19 case levels climb in the state, hundreds of faculty members at colleges and universities across Mississippi have signedan open letter askingfor vaccinations to be required for students returning this fall.

The letter, originally pennedby four faculty members at Mississippi State University, hasgarnered more than 400 signatures since late May. Signees includecurrent and former professorsandsome community members.

"Such a measure is essential to protect the health and safety of all members of university communities (and their home counties), especially those who cannot receive a vaccine for medical reasons or who are immunocompromised (for whom the vaccine may be less effective)," the petition reads.

In the letter, addressed to state leadersincluding State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs, the faculty members noted that 586 public and private colleges across the United States have already made vaccinations a requirement for students and staff. According to a report from the Chronicle of Higher Education, that number hasincreased to 592 campuses nationwide, but none are located in Mississippi.

Dobbs said during a news conference on July 20 that the health department has no intention of issuing vaccination mandatesfor state higher ed institutions.

Dobbs said he believesthe "era of statewide mask mandatesis over" andhe doesn't believe a recommendation for mandatory shots will be pursued.

"There's a lot going on right now; we do recommend (getting vaccinated)," he said. "But it's not seeming really feasible to promote (mandatory vaccinations)."

Dobbs said there is word that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may be accelerating its review for full approval of some COVID-19 vaccines currently under emergency use authorization in the United States. However, he said he doesn't believe any approvals will change the department's stance onmandatory vaccinations for students in the future.

The state's board, however, intends to follow the health department's guidelines. Caron Blanton, director of communications for the Mississippi Institutions for Higher Learning, said in an email on July 21 that all policies related to COVID-19are based on the health department's mandates.

"We have not received a request from the Mississippi State Department of Health to mandate students or employees receive the COVID vaccine," she said. "Our universities are actively encouraging all students and employees to get the COVID vaccine."

Dobbs said the department is in talks with IHL to develop updated guidelines for colleges and universities around the state, but did not provide a timeline for when the new rules would be issued.

Officials said on Wednesday that the agency waslikely to change state guidance for K-12 schools to align with new CDC guidelines that suggest all students, teachers and staff wear masks while indoors regardless of vaccination status.

During a speech at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia Thursday, Gov. Tate Reeves called the new guidelines "foolish" and said the recommendations were not based on science. Reeves reiterated that he does not intend to reissue a statewide mask mandate for schools as he did at the start of the 2020-21 school year.

"I dont think youre going to see any school district mandate masks in schools," Reeves told WJTV-TV."I think if you start seeing them do that, the parents will erupt, and they should, and I feel certain they will."

The request from faculty at higher education institutions across the state comes as COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Mississippi, spurred by the delta variant of the virus.

On Monday, the Mississippi State Department of Health recorded nearly 5,000 new cases identified in the state over the weekend.

Currently, no public Mississippi college or university is requiring staff, faculty or students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to return to campus. Mask policies vary by institution.

Have an education-relatednews tip? Contact Keisha Rowe at nrowe@gannett.com, on Twitter or at (601) 760-2483.

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No mandated COVID-19 vaccinations on the horizon for public Mississippi colleges - Clarion Ledger