Johns Hopkins University says it will for the second straight year require proof of vaccination against the seasonal flu will be required for students and employees on its Baltimore or D.C.-area campuses.
JHU’s website said the policy came into fruition in response to the coronavirus pandemic in the interest of safety for the institution’s community and surrounding neighborhoods.
“Having as many students, faculty and staff as possible vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the flu, in conjunction with other health and hygiene policies, it is vital to the safety of our community,” the website said, WTOP reported.
Those in the JHU community who work remotely are exempt from the mandate, the website said. Anyone in the JHU community requesting a religious or medical exemption should submit a request by Nov. 9.
Nov. 19 is the deadline at JHU to submit their exemption request or to be vaccinated against the flu.
The University of California system initiated a flu vaccination mandate last year. JHU has been joined by the University of Miami, among others in instituting a flu mandate.
American and George Washington universities don’t have a flu mandate but encourage people in their communities to get vaccinated. George Mason University has no plans for a flu mandate, WTOP reported.