COVID-19 vaccines became available for medical professionals and elderly citizens early December and eligibility now has expanded for everyone 16 and older.
Many who have had enough of staying home and worrying for their loved ones being affected by the virus have been rushing to get vaccinated as soon as they can, but with the vaccine being suspiciously ready too soon it has some students and citizens skeptical.
According to an article published by AP News, 15% of Americans are certain they won’t get vaccinated and 17% say probably not. Many expressed doubts about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.
The country has surpassed 440,000 deaths from COVID-19 and is facing the challenge of new variants of the virus.
Rushing to re-open schools and the nation assures that there are still chances of people catching the virus and passing it onto their loved ones, friends and workers that don’t have the ability to work from home who are forced to be around people.
With colleges and universities making a switch to online classes, Pierce should provide students options if they can’t take the vaccine because of medical, religious or philosophical beliefs.
Pierce should not mandate the vaccine for students as there are reasons some will not be able to take it because of allergies, respiratory issues or other health issues they cannot control.
Courses that have switched to online classes give the ability and safety for students to complete their subjects comfortably at home without the anxiety and worry of being forced to go back to campus without a choice.
Some people are worried that the vaccine was made too fast and that reason is enough to let students have the right to proceed taking online classes and give that option to have the classes they need still available online once campus chooses to re-open.
According to an article published by Huffpost News, a morning consult survey conducted in the first week of January found that 23% of health care workers said they would never accept the vaccine.
Students should not have to be put in a situation where they are forced to take the COVID-19 vaccine and go back to campus so they can complete their education without providing them alternate options.
