Bradley University says it will now require vaccinations for all employees and students to comply with Gov. JB Pritzker's newest COVID-19 mandates.
But in practice, little changes. The university already required indoor masking for everyone regardless of vaccination status per the latest CDC guidance — and people who did not submit proof of vaccination already were required to submit to regular COVID-19 testing prior to the governor's Thursday announcement.
Bradley University President Stephen Standifird said 65 percent of students are currently reported fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That's significantly higher than the 46.7 percent national average among 18- to 24-year-olds.
Faculty and staff vaccination rates are at 63 percent, according to revised numbers released by the university on Friday.
Standifird said he believes there may have been an undercount caused by missed deadlines amid the busy start to the fall semester.
The new state mandate requires all higher education staff and students to get either a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine, or the first dose of a two-dose vaccination regimen by Sept. 5.
Vaccination appointments are available on campus.
