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Vaccine requirements for college students in the United States currently include some combination of meningococcal vaccine, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and hepatitis B, though it varies by state. In 34 states, students are required to get vaccinated in some capacity to attend a university, according to the National Conference of State Legislature. Vaccines are and have been a way that we ensure safety in close-knit communities. Now, they are at risk from a dangerous trend of misinformation coming directly from the government.
Because college students often live in close quarters and very social environments, college campuses are prime areas for transmission of infectious disease. Therefore, students are also at a high risk of contracting these diseases. IU itself requires that all incoming students on the Bloomington campus are immunization compliant.
“I think vaccines are an important part of college safety because they can limit the spread of sickness,” IU sophomore Gael Carrasco said. “Or at the very least limit the effect (illnesses) have on your body.”
Students are hyper-aware that sickness spreads easily through dorm floors and classrooms. Staying healthy is a major priority, as it allows them to focus on their studies.
“I think college campuses are so heavily populated that sickness travels really quickly, and vaccines do a lot to reduce that spread,” Natalie Scholl, a Jacobs School of Music student, said.
So, it’s time to talk about vaccines.
The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices provides recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding vaccination. The organization is composed of healthcare professionals who do not work for the CDC. This year, the committee has undergone significant changes.
In June, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. conducted a “clean sweep” of the ACIP, removing all 17 of its sitting members. Of the new members he selected, some of whom were appointed just last week, most are not vaccine experts, and some hold notably anti-vaccine views. RFK Jr. himself has previously expressed such views, including endorsing the theory that vaccines cause autism, which has been disproven.
When the ACIP met last week, most members attended for the first time. The committee reached a decision to stop recommending that adults get vaccinated for COVID-19. Instead, they said it should be an individual decision based on consultation with a healthcare provider. They also suggested the CDC update their language regarding potential risks to getting vaccinated.
Previously, the committee recommended everyone ages six months and up be vaccinated.
The committee began the meeting by stating that they did not hold anti-vaccine views and did not enter the meeting with any “pre-determined opinions.” However, I find this difficult to believe, because they also reportedly debated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines during the same meeting.
However, vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the COVID-19 vaccine specifically prevented approximately 2.5 million deaths between 2020-2024. The CDC website suggests all adults get vaccines at the recommended times.
In a June letter written in response to “federal immunization review processes,” the American Medical Association emphasized the importance of vaccines to “protect the public against” illnesses.
The new members of the ACIP seem to ignore these facts. At every turn, their decisions undermine vaccines. Changing the language from “recommended” to “a personal decision” might not seem huge, but it is. It implies that the committee believes vaccines are not entirely safe, especially given their decision to update risk language as well. I believe this is a misinterpretation of reality.
Yes, vaccines have side effects. However, most of these are minor. Serious side effects are rare, according to the CDC, and implying that they are a major concern could scare people enough to refuse vaccinations. Being unvaccinated puts that person and others at risk of contracting diseases much worse than the side effects of the vaccine.
The ACIP’s recent decisions could also cause major confusion. They give the impression that we must pick sides: what medical professionals are saying or what the government is saying, which seems contradictory.
If government agencies encourage the public to be wary of vaccines, many people will accept that as truth. The government should be a source of accurate information. A lack of trust in vaccines, the government or both can result in an increase in diseases, feelings of insecurity and overall chaos.
If the CDC accepts these recommendations, which they still must do in order for them to take effect, what’s next? If the ACIP can get this approved, what is to stop them from going further?
Vaccine requirements in K-12 schools and universities are one way we ensure it is safe for people to interact in close quarters every day. If this trend of misinformation continues, I wonder if those requirements will remain. Will there be another “individual decision” that puts young people at risk?
This is only the beginning. If the ACIP is allowed to push this line, it is going to keep pushing, regardless of if decisions are backed by science.
What we can do now is continue to get vaccinated. We can educate people close to us and encourage them to get vaccinated. We can speak up and back the medical professionals who tell us that vaccines are safe.
That is the only way to fight.
Sasha Burton (she/her) is a sophomore studying Elementary Education with minors in English and Spanish.
