Indiana University’s mandated vaccine survives court appeal

A federal appeals court on Monday, 2 August refused to bar Indiana University from mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for students attending the school this fall, upholding a lower court ruling in one of the first disputes over college vaccine mandates, writes Brendan Pierson for Reuters.

A unanimous 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that the mandate, which includes health and religious exceptions but requires students who take them to wear masks and be tested frequently, did not violate any constitutional right.

“Once again, the court has affirmed our legitimate public health interest in assuring the safety of our students, faculty and staff and we are excited to welcome our community back for the fall semester,” Indiana University spokesman Chuck Carney said in an e-mail. The school is represented by Anne Ricchiuto of Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath. James Bopp of the Bopp Law Firm, a lawyer for the eight students who sued the school over the mandate, said he would be filing an appeal in the US Supreme Court “shortly”.
Full report on the Reuters news site