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Eight Indiana University students are suing the school, alleging that its COVID-19 vaccine requirement violates both their constitutional rights and the state’s new vaccine passport law.
The federal lawsuit, filed Monday, alleges that students face “strong consequences” if they refuse to get vaccinated, including canceled class registration and limits on taking part in on-campus activities.
The suit contends that IU’s policy violates the Fourteenth Amendment, which includes the rights of personal autonomy and bodily integrity and the right to reject medical treatment.
The students’ complaint also alleges that IU’s policy violates Indiana’s recently passed law banning vaccine “passports,” which Republican legislators pushed and which conservatives portray as a heavy-handed intrusion into personal freedom and private health choices.
IU is offering students medical and religious exemptions. Several of the students suing the school have applied for, and been granted, exemptions based on their religious beliefs. But the suit says they object to extra requirements placed on students who receive exemptions, such as requiring them to wear masks in public spaces.
Earlier this month, Indiana University modified its COVID-19 vaccination requirement, making it optional that students and employees provide proof of getting the shots. IU’s initial mandatory vaccine requirement drew protests from many state officials.
Indiana University said in a statement Monday that its recent vaccine policy change puts it within the bounds of state law and adds that the school “is confident it will prevail in this case.”
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Can IU or any other entity see the ridiculousness of requiring vaccines? It can only hurt the people that don’t get vaccines and if everyone has the option to get one, then they have chosen to run the risk. This is a rule designed to “help” people against their wishes. It endangers no one but themselves or people who have likewise made that decision.
Wrong. It also endangers anyone who comes near them who are unable to get vaccinated due to immune system issues
The problem with unvaccinated people is that they act as a reservoir for COVID-19 – allowing the virus to mutate. The right mutation(s) could render the vaccine useless. Until we reach heard immunity, unvaccinated people are a danger.
Simple minded comment. Do we all want to keep “sorta living normally”? Just get the damn vaccine so we can move on with life and get back to normal. Tired of the morons whom don’t understand this simple concept.
What a joke. Students mad that they have to wear a mask if they choose not to get the vaccine? TOUGH! It’s a social contract. Where is the outrage at the TB or Polio vaccine? Have to imagine all these students are also pro-choice in regards to abortion right…..
Neil is right.
Would be good to know who these 8 are so everyone else knows to avoid being around them
Also, Butler, Notre Dame and Purdue all have requirements too so not sure why IU stays in the news.
Purdue has never had a vax requirement, but nice try (what is different at PU from most Universities, hummm, I can’t quite put my finger on it). Glad you want to dox the people that have a different opinion. Trust me, they don’t want to be “around” you either, but you should put on a 3rd mask while alone in your car, just to be safe
The plaintiffs identify themselves in their suit: https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/group-of-students-sues-indiana-university-over-covid-19-vaccine-mandate.php
Here’s a life lesson for the eight kids – it’d be a lot easier to just get vaccinated and enjoy school…..