Wayne State the only college in Michigan to still require COVID vaccine

Wayne State University is one of 68 universities and colleges in the U.S. to still require at least some students to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination, according to the group No College Mandates. WSU, which also requires a flu shot, is the only university or college in Michigan to require a COVID shot.

The requirement does not apply to everybody in the WSU community.

“COVID-19 vaccines are no longer required for faculty, staff and students, except for those living in university housing and students and faculty involved in clinical programs,” per the school’s covid policy.

Students may apply for a medical or religious exemption. To find the COVID exemption request form, students must look on the university webpage labeled Moving into Campus Housing.

The exemption form requires a statement from a doctor that the student cannot tolerate the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The above-named individual from Wayne State University is under my care. I have reviewed the Covid-19 vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and request the following medical exemption based on a true medical contraindication as outlined by the CDC,” the declination form states.

The doctor must affirm that the student has already had a reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or is allergic to one of its ingredients. Students may apply for a temporary rather than a permanent exemption.

Wayne State also says students who do not have the vaccination may be subject to public health protocols, which means they could be separated from the rest of campus. It is not clear how often the university has granted religious exemptions, as it did not respond to an email seeking comment.

CapCon reported in March 2023 that the University of Michigan announced it would require vaccinations for students living on campus in the fall. U-M later dropped the requirement before the fall term began.