A federal judge in the United States ruled on Monday that Indiana University may require that its students receive the covid-19 vaccine before the start of the course this fall if they want to attend classes.
“(…) The Fourteenth Amendment allows Indiana University to seek due and reasonable process of vaccination in the legitimate interest of the public health of its students,” said Judge Damon Leichty in a 101-page document published this Sunday. .
The ruling comes after eight students filed a lawsuit claiming that the school’s vaccination policy was unconstitutional and violated both the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution and state law.
His lawyers alleged that asking students to be vaccinated violates their right to their integrity and their bodily autonomy, while stressing that the vaccine against covid-19 only has an emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA).
“What is happening here is that the Government is forcing you to do something that you completely oppose and also, your body is being invaded in the process,” explained lawyer James Bopp Jr., who pointed out that the sentence will be appealed.
Indiana University announced for the first time last June its plan to require students, faculty and staff at the center to receive the anticovid vaccine before starting the next course in September.
“A federal court ruling has confirmed Indiana University’s covid-19 vaccination plan designed for the health and well-being of its students, faculty and staff,” the center said in a statement.
“We appreciate the fast and rigorous sentencing that allows us to focus on a full and safe return,” he added.
Indiana’s is just one of more than 100 US colleges that are requiring their students to get vaccinated.
Historically, the US Supreme Court has allowed public schools to impose vaccination campaigns, while Judge Leichty’s ruling recalls other vaccines that are required to attend Indiana schools.
“Indiana requires all public university students to be vaccinated for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, and meningococcal disease before attending the center. All these vaccines, except one, have been required since 1993, “the text states.
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