More than 90% of Miami University students vaccinated against COVID-19
Nearly 92% of students and more than 80% of employees on Miami University’s Oxford campus have received a COVID-19 vaccine, further evidence of the university community’s commitment to protecting the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff.
More than 90% of Miami University students vaccinated against COVID-19
High vaccination rate, precautions keep infection rate low on campus
Nearly 92% of students and more than 80% of employees on Miami University’s Oxford campus have received a COVID-19 vaccine, further evidence of the university community’s commitment to protecting the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff.
Miami's positive COVID-19 rates in surveillance testing of unvaccinated students on the Oxford campus have consistently remained low, around 0 to 0.5%.
"We are so grateful to our students, faculty, and staff for the many ways they have kept our campus healthy this fall, and we celebrate this milestone in the fight against COVID-19: more than 90% of our students across all campuses are vaccinated,” said Jayne Brownell, Miami Vice President for Student Life. “The Miami community serves as an example that challenges can be overcome through compassion, fortitude, and teamwork.”
In accordance with guidance from the CDC and local, state, and federal public health officials —and with input from the Miami community —the university is requiring all students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to have received an exemption by Nov. 22, 2021.
In addition to the vaccine requirement, Miami’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has included robust surveillance and wide-net testing of asymptomatic individuals; wastewater monitoring; contact tracing, quarantine and isolation; and other safety precautions, such as masking indoors.
“Vaccination continues to be our best tool in the fight against COVID-19, and we are seeing the benefits at Miami,” Brownell said. “Miami’s COVID-19 rates remain low and we have not seen any serious outbreaks among students, faculty or staff.”
Last week, Butler County General Health District (BCGHD) reported that 45056 was the only zip code in Butler County to be downgraded from high (red) to substantial (orange) transmission.
"We are thankful for Miami's tailored efforts to provide vaccine clinics that gave students and staff opportunities to ask questions and overcome barriers to getting the shot," said Erin Smiley, health promotion director at BCGHD.
Fewer than 10% of students and employees have requested exemptions, which the university continues to review and process. Exemptions may be granted for the following reasons: medical with documentation; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; or reasons of conscience, including philosophical and ethical beliefs.
For more information on Miami University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as data on vaccination and infection rates, visit Miami’s COVID-19 campus updates page and it’s COVID-19 Dashboard.
