PEORIA, Ill. — Bradley University will now require all students and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 after Gov. JB Pritzker Thursday mandated all higher education personnel and students receive it.
Bradley was previously not requiring a COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the statewide mandate, employees and students must receive the first dose of a two-dose vaccination series or a single-dose vaccination by Sept. 5, 2021. Second doses of the vaccine must be received by 30 days after the first dose.
If some cannot get vaccinated before the deadline, they will be included in Bradley’s weekly testing protocols.
As of Thursday, more than 65% of students had been fully-vaccinated, significantly above the national average of 46.7% for the 18-24 age group.
“Our students continue to show significant leadership in how they have responded to the pandemic,” said President Stephen Standifird. “To our students, a most sincere thank you.”
Faculty and staff vaccination rate sits at just over 47%, slightly trailing the national average at 51.8%.
