KENTUCKY — Students at multiple Kentucky colleges must receive a COVID-19 vaccine following the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) full approval of Pfizer's vaccine Monday.


What You Need To Know

  • Some Kentucky colleges are requiring COVID vaccines after the FDA granted full approval to Pfizer's vaccine

  • Centre College's president said students who have been waiting to receive their COVID-19 vaccine until final FDA approval must now get vaccinated

  • Bellarmine University's website says that when at least one of the COVID-19 vaccines receives full FDA approval, the university will require all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated

  • Both schools are allowing for exemptions

In a letter addressed to students, faculty and staff, Centre College President Milton Moreland said students who have been waiting to receive their COVID-19 vaccine until final FDA approval must now get vaccinated unless they have been granted a formal exemption. Moreland said those who don't provide proof of vaccination status will be moved to administrative leave status and asked to move off-campus. Specific details will be sent separately to those for whom the policy applies.

Centre said that since faculty and staff do not live 24/7 on campus, they will not be required to get vaccinated. However, the college said it encourages all employees to get vaccinated.

Moreland said 93% of students shared their proof of vaccination with the university as of late last week. He added that Centre is considering exemption requests from a small group of students that represent slightly less than 1% of total enrollment. A total of 86% of all employees have also reported being vaccinated, Moreland said.

Bellarmine University's website says that when at least one of the COVID-19 vaccines receives full FDA approval, the university will require all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated. Bellarmine President Susan Donovan said they must be fully vaccinated within 45 days.

"As a matter of public health, we must each do our part to ensure that we are not infecting ourselves or other members of our campus community," she said in a statement.

The university's requirement applies to all undergraduates and graduates, both full- and part-time students. Bellarmine said students may request an exemption from the vaccination requirement if their programs are 100% online or they have medical or religious exemptions.