'Vermonters first': Out-of-state college students ineligible for vaccine

[TexasTowelie]

College students from other states attending school in Vermont are ineligible for a COVID-19 vaccine under Vermont's rules, Gov. Phil Scott announced Tuesday.

"At this point in time, we want to make sure we're taking care of Vermonters first," Scott said at a news conference, responding to a question from a journalist at the Vermont Cynic at the University of Vermont. College students who "maintain their out-of-state status" cannot be vaccinated, he said.

The announcement leaves three-quarters of UVM undergraduate students ineligible for the vaccine.

About 27% of UVM undergraduate students are Vermont residents. The rest of the student body comes from 46 other states and 41 "countries/areas," according to the university website.

Read more: https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/vermont/2021/03/31/vermont-excludes-out-state-college-students-covid-19-vaccine-rollout/4820305001/

Poor policy at controlling COVID-19 considering college age students are among the most socially active groups.

[bamagal62]

1. Well, that seems not only unfair but stupid.

Good luck on that college recruiting next year.

[al bupp]

2. As a Vermonter, I think this is a short-sighted decision

We have to vaccinate as many people as possible w/in the state. It shouldn't matter what their state of residence is. If they live here they are just as likely to spread the virus as anyone else.

[Skittles]

3. ridiculous

zero understanding how the virus operates

[Miguelito Loveless]

4. But you will take their

out of state tuition?

[rickyhall]

5. So many are missing the point

[sheshe2]

6. I am sure Bernie will be on this.

He loves his state and will do everything to protect it, just like he did for the workers in Alabama.

This is just plain stupid.

[bPoor policy at controlling COVID-19 considering college age students are among the most socially active groups.

[abqtommy]

7. I suggest that Vermont change it's friggin' rules!

[C_U_L8R]

8. The virus doesn't care.

What a stupid policy.

[Grins]

9. Free vaccine? Paid for with federal dollars...?

...and a state denies it to thousands living and spending money in their state?

Lemmee guess: The Gov is a Republican? I get that right?

[halfulglas]

10. You would think Vermonters would want to be surrounded by vaccinated people.

Whether they are fellow Vermonters or not. Get everybody vaccinated. It would be different if they were coming from out of state just to get a shot and leave, but they are temporary residents going to college there. Such short sighted thinking. The faster we get the shots in EVERYONE'S arms, the sooner we will suppress the virus. Each vaccination is one less case of COVID.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. My brother went to UVM and many students establish residency so their tuition will be lower

Even though they come from states all over the country. It's a good school. I had numerous friends who went there, too, and their families lived all over the Northeast. And I agree with you, college students are less likely to take precautions and are especially at risk.

[TexasTowelie]

12. Considering the most recent news that the infection rates are increasing among younger adults

and the new variants are more contagious along with possibly being more lethal, it indicates how foolish this policy is.

[Rhiannon12866]

13. Back in September, I remember reading that state universities here were closing

Only a couple of weeks into the semester because some students were partying and covid was spreading on campus. Students were already being sent home. And it wasn't just in New York. I know a couple who have two kids in college, both in schools in Pennsylvania. The daughter is an upper classman while the son had just started and they both were sent home due to covid cases. College students, both because of behavior and proximity, are at particular risk.