UW Mandates Coronavirus Vaccines For Students At All 3 Campuses

SEATTLE — The University of Washington will require students to receive their COVID-19 immunizations before returning to campus for the autumn quarter in Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma, officials announced Monday. UW's decision follows similar mandates announced last week at Pacific Lutheran University and Washington State University.

"Widespread vaccination is the only real way we can put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and return to a more normal way of living, learning and working," said Ana Mari Cauce, the university's president. "Our community is one that cares — about each other and about the state and society we serve. For your health, and for the health of us all, please get vaccinated as soon as you can."

Last Friday, King County's health officer described vaccinations as the "long-term pathway" out of the pandemic, and the ticket to resuming a "pre-COVID lifestyle."

"I think it's clear now that our best path out of this painful cycle of COVID-19 resurgence and restrictions, and for our return to normalcy as quickly as possible, is by rolling up our sleeves and getting vaccinated," Dr. Jeff Duchin said. "With increasing vaccination, we'll also be able to bid good riddance to the difficult restrictions that were once our only option for control of COVID-19, before we had highly effective vaccines."

The university is encouraging its students to get their shots as soon as possible, anywhere they are offered, including UW Medicine hospitals, mass vaccination sites, or the UW Medical Center on campus. In Seattle, appointments are no longer required at the city-run vaccination centers at Lumen Field, Rainier Beach and West Seattle.

UW officials said its COVID-19 vaccine mandate will be in line with existing immunization requirements, and students can expect more details over the summer.

"Students will need to verify they have been vaccinated before the start of the fall quarter unless they are claiming a medical, religious or philosophical exemption, which is similar to the UW’s existing tri-campus immunization requirement," officials wrote. "If students aren’t able to get vaccinated where they currently live, the University will provide vaccinations to students once they arrive on campus."

According to the university, discussions are still underway about potentially extending the vaccine requirements to faculty and staff.

Read Cauce's full message to students and staff on the UW website.