The University of Connecticut’s interim president announced a policy requiring all UConn and UConn Health employees to receive vaccinations against COVID-19.
UConn Interim President Andrew Agwunobi sent employees a letter this week, saying the university will require them to show evidence of being fully vaccinated by Oct. 15. The letter came after UConn announced in June it will require fall semester students to be fully vaccinated.
“As you are aware, at the University of Connecticut and UConn Health, our primary goal during this pandemic is to keep all employees, students, and patients safe,” Agwunobi told employees.
Agwunobi, who headed UConn Health before the board of trustees appointed him interim president after former UConn President Thomas Katsouleas’ sudden resignation, said university leadership reached this decision with officials from unions representing UConn employees, including the American Association of University Professors, the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association and others.
UConn will allow some medical and religious exemptions on a case-by-case basis, Agwunobi said, and employees granted exemptions must be tested for COVID-19 weekly.
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, nearly 750 colleges and universities in the U.S. have announced vaccine requirements for students, including 33 in Connecticut. At least seven Connecticut colleges and universities in addition to UConn have set vaccine requirements for employees, according to the Chronicle.