ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that all SUNY and CUNY schools will require in-person students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 this fall.
"Let’s make a global statement," the governor said. "You cannot go back to school in September unless you have the vaccine. That will be a major motivation for people to get the vaccine, and if you have to get it by September, you may as well get it now. Why wouldn't you get it now?"
The governor is encouraging all private schools to require vaccinations for students, as well.
Part of the point of doing this is to get younger people vaccinated. Right now in the state, only 24.7 percent of the 16 to 25 year old age group is fully vaccinated. The vaccine hasn't been available to them as long as it has for the older age groups and for 16 and 17-year-olds Pfizer is their only option right now. But, the governor wants the vaccination numbers to go up, and this is a way to do that.
There is a catch though, the vaccine mandate can only happen if the vaccines get full approval by September. Right now, there's an emergency use authorization. Full federal approval is expected soon though.
2 On Your Side has been reaching out to some local private colleges and universities about whether or not they plan to follow suit.
So far Canisius College and Niagara University tell us they have not made that decision yet. And St. Bonaventure tells us they have been considering whether or not to require vaccines, but plan to take some more time to continue to deliberate.
As of Monday, Western New York has the second highest positivity rate at 2.43 percent, down from 5.1 percent one month ago. The Finger Lakes has the highest positivity rate in the state at 2.72 percent. The overall statewide positivity rate is 1.43 percent, down 58 percent in the last month.
"When people say 'COVID's over' -- COVID isn't over," Cuomo said. "Twenty-seven people died. Twenty-seven families are grieving today. So it's not over."
The governor also provided these updates on the vaccination efforts in New York State:
- 16.8 million shots have been administered as of Monday, May 10
- 60.2 percent of people above the age of 18 have had at least one shot
- An estimated 20 percent of New York residents will not get the vaccine