As COVID-19 vaccines become more broadly available in 2021, universities must decide on vaccine policies for college students. Despite some safety concerns, a majority of students say they’re likely to get vaccinated as soon as they can.
A new college survey of 1,000 undergraduates finds that roughly 7 in 10 (71%) believe colleges have the right to require students to get vaccinated before returning to campus, while 19% do not and 10% are not sure. Students attending private universities are more likely than those attending public universities to say schools have the right to require vaccinations (78% vs. 69%).
“Don’t schools usually require vaccinations anyway?” a Beloit College student comments.
Private University Students are More Likely to Say Schools Can Require COVID-19 Vaccinations
Do you think colleges have the right to require students to get vaccinated before returning to campus?
When it comes to private businesses, two-thirds (66%) of students think companies have the right to require their employees to get vaccinated before returning to the workplace. One in 5 (20%) do not and 13% are not sure.
About one-third (36%) of students say they are at least somewhat worried about the COVID-19 vaccines’ safety. But students of color are more likely than white students to worry (43% vs. 31%). Still, a majority of students are willing to get vaccinated.
“My worry is potential long-term side effects we aren’t aware of yet due to the short output time,” a Bowling Green State University student says. “I’ll still be getting it though.”
Young, healthy adults who aren’t essential workers will be among the last group to be vaccinated, and most students are looking forward to it. According to a recent Stat/Harris Poll survey, 68% of American adults say they are likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine as it becomes available. By comparison, more than three-quarters (77%) of students say the same. Students of color are less likely than white students to say they’re very likely to get vaccinated (45% vs. 57%) and more likely to say they’re somewhat likely to (30% vs. 21%).
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Methodology: This survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse. Interviews were conducted in January among a sample of 1,000 full-time and part-time students attending colleges or universities in the U.S. who are part of College Pulse’s American College Student Panel.
