University of Oklahoma adopts limited vaccine requirements

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Some students, faculty and staff at the University of Oklahoma will be required to receive the coronavirus vaccine beginning June 1, officials said.

Those who interact with patients at the university’s medical centers and those who study abroad are required to be vaccinated and others are encouraged to do so, according to OU President Joseph Harroz, Jr.

“Based upon the information available at this time, we do not believe requiring vaccination for all of our students is necessary,” Harroz said Wednesday. “We do strongly urge them to consider being vaccinated if they haven’t already.”

OU is also reducing its social distancing guidelines from six feet to three feet except in patient care settings and designated indoor eating areas and is easing masking requirements for certain outdoor activities, using federal Centers for Disease Control recommendations.

Vaccinations are now available for children 12 and up after federal health advisers endorsed use of the Pfizer vaccine in those age groups, according to the state health department.

The Oklahoma City-County Health Department said it and Oklahoma City Public Schools will host a vaccination site Saturday at John Marshall High School.

Those 17 and younger must have approval from a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine.