Macalester to require COVID-19 vaccine for students, employees returning to campus in the fall

Macalester College announced on Friday it will require students, staff and faculty returning to campus in the fall to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

In a letter to the college community, President Suzanne Rivera said anyone planning on returning to campus must be fully vaccinated by Aug. 2.

Students and employees may seek an exemption using the same process for other immunizations.

"I recognize that, at the moment, it might be challenging to schedule a vaccination, but every indication is that access will increase as vaccine supplies become more available," Rivera said in the letter.

To help vaccinate The Macalester College Community, the campus has provided space for a Hy-Vee pharmacy vaccine clinic that students and faculty can visit Thursday and Friday.