Judges show wide latitude for exemptions to college COVID vaccine mandates

Universities with an exemption process for COVID-19 vaccine mandates - no matter how arbitrary, limited or ephemeral - are finding favor with judges in legal challenges, most recently involving the University of Connecticut.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Meyer dismissed a lawsuit Monday by two students and one parent challenging UConn's vaccine mandate for students, finding that he doesn't have jurisdiction.

"The plaintiffs raise important constitutional questions" about whether and how the government can "condition access to public education on a student's sacrifice of his or her right against unwanted medical treatment in the form of a highly invasive injection of a yet-to-be fully approved vaccine," the judge said.

But two of them received exemptions after filing suit, while the third refused to apply on the basis that the exemption process was "unconstitutionally vague." As a result, Meyer said none of them could demonstrate ongoing injury from the mandate.