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Eight Indiana University students have filed a federal lawsuit against the school, alleging that its COVID-19 vaccine requirement violates both their constitutional rights and the state’s new vaccine passport law.
The students say they will face “strong consequences” if they refuse to be vaccinated.
The lawsuit, filed Monday, argues that universities’ vaccine policies violate the Fourteenth Amendment, denying them the right to protect their personal autonomy and bodily integrity.
The Indiana University campus. (iStock)
The lawsuit also claims the schools policy violates Indiana’s new “passport to vaccines” regulations signed by Governor Eric Holcomb in April.
IU offered students medical and religious exemptions. But the lawsuit says they oppose additional demands placed on students who are granted exemptions, such as asking them to wear masks in public spaces.
NEARLY 4,000 PEOPLE COMPLETELY VACCINATED WITH MASSACHUSETTS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
Earlier this month, Indiana University changed its COVID-19 vaccination requirement, making it optional for students and employees to provide proof of having received the vaccines. The initial mandatory UI vaccine requirement sparked protests from many state officials.
IU spokesman Chuck Carney told Fox News the vaccination policy remains in place for “all students, faculty and staff at Indiana University.”
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“The university is confident that it will prevail in this case. Following the publication of the Indiana Attorney General’s opinion, our process has been revised, with uploading proof of vaccination no longer necessary,” Carney said. “The opinion of the attorney general affirmed our right to demand the vaccine.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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