Aug 24, 2021 - Health

Ohio State University to mandate vaccines for students and staff

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Incoming students begin moving in on the OSU campus on August 13, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio. — An Ohio State University campus in Columbus, Ohio. Photo: Matthew Hatcher/Getty

Ohio State University will require all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the fall semester, the institution announced Tuesday.

Why it matters: OSU, with some 66,000 students and 30,000 staff, is one of the first large state universities to impose such a widespread vaccine mandate that isn't just for students, the New York Times notes.

What they're saying: "The university is taking this step because vaccines are the safest and most effective form of protection against COVID-19," university president Kristina Johnson said in a statement.

"This step will increase our ability to support our students in continuing their educational experiences as well as help protect our current and the state’s future workforce."

Go deeper: Colleges crack down on unvaccinated students as campuses reopen

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Ohio State University to mandate vaccines for students and staff

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