Eight Indiana University students are suing the university over its COVID-19 vaccine mandate, claiming that the requirement violates Indiana's new vaccine passport law and the Fourteenth Amendment.
The lawsuit, filed Monday, alleges that IU’s vaccine requirement goes against the FDA’s emergency use authorization of the vaccines and violates CDC guidelines and “modern medical ethics.”
READ MORE: Indiana Bill Approved To Ban Government Vaccine Passports
Additionally, the suit claims, the mandate goes against recommendations from the state of Indiana and Allen, Marion and Monroe counties, as well as breaking with other public universities that have declined to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for students.
IU’s policy requires that all students, faculty and staff attest to having received a WHO- or FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine before Aug. 15. If faculty and staff do not comply, they will be terminated, while students who do not comply will be un-registered from classes and prohibited from attending campus events, among other consequences.
Previously, the university announced it would require proof of vaccination in the form of health records or a vaccine card. IU walked back that requirement following Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita's opinion that challenged the legality of requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccine.
READ MORE: IU Amends Vaccine Requirement, Will No Longer Mandate Proof Of COVID-19 Vaccine
In an emailed statement, IU spokesperson Chuck Carney wrote that the university officials remain confident in the legality of its vaccine requirement.
This story will be updated.
Indiana University Vaccine Lawsuit by Indiana Public Media News on Scribd
