COVID vaccine to be mandatory for UVA students this fall

A letter posted on the university's website opens as follows:

"We are writing today to provide you with an update on the University’s plans for the coming fall semester. As we have said previously, our planning assumes that the overwhelming majority of our community will be fully vaccinated this fall, allowing us to return to in-person instruction, research, and residential life."

"All students who live, learn, or work in person at the University during the next academic year must be fully vaccinated before returning to Grounds, starting July 1. Students must upload proof of vaccination .... no later than Thursday, July 1, 2021."

"Students may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement. If such exemption is granted, they will be subject to weekly prevalence testing requirements and likely other public health measures."

"Students who are not vaccinated and do not qualify for an exception will not be permitted to come to Grounds after July 1. We will provide more information about this requirement and the exemption process no later than June 15."

The same rule will also apply to anybody in the university's employ:

"The University expects all UVA and UVA Health faculty and staff who do not have a need for medical or religious exemption to get vaccinated as soon as possible. We know that many UVA and UVA Health employees are fully vaccinated and others are in the process of completing their doses."

"Vaccination of our employees is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and the return to regular, in-person experiences."