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Prominent Atlanta HBCUs have announced that they will require their on-campus staff and students to take the COVID-19 vaccine(s) before attending class for the fall semester. According to WSB-TV, Morehouse College, Spelman College and other members of the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) will require proof that attendants are fully vaccinated, in some cases meaning two separate vaccine doses.

Students and college employees will be

offered opportunities to receive COVID-19 vaccines on campus in order to make the process easier, WSB-TV reports. Due to the colleges being private institutions, they’re able to create their own policy instead of following state officials.

Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse School of Medicine and other Atlanta HBCUs said in a joint statement, “As AUCC member institutions plan for summer programming and the fall semester, using the latest scientific data to implement vaccination protocols is the next step in keeping our community safe. Vaccination of our community members is critical to continue meeting our highest priority—maintaining the safety and wellbeing of our constituents.”

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Emory University, a private university and AUCC member, also announced that they will require their students to take the vaccine prior to the fall. For Emory students who can’t be vaccinated in the next few months, the university says they can apply for an exemption “based on medical conditions or strong personal objections.” Though vaccinations for Emory University staff are not required, they

encourage them to do so.

According to the New York Times, American colleges have been linked to over 120,000 cases of COVID-19 since January, causing schools around the country to crack down on safety guidelines and vaccine requirements.

 Masks and social distancing will likely also continue on campuses as we adjust to the new normal.