UAF student-athletes must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have waiver by Oct. 29

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - The University of Alaska Fairbanks is requiring all intercollegiate athletes to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved waiver, the school notified its members Thursday.

By October 29, all student-athletes competing in the 10 UAF sports must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or be granted a waiver “for medical reasons or based on a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.”

“Because of the increased COVID-19 risk from competition inherent to intercollegiate sports, the associated travel, and the COVID rules and policies of our competitors, UAF athletics is unique in many regards,” Chancellor Dan White wrote in an email to students, staff and faculty. “After communication with the team physician, and with the support of athletic director Brock Anundson, UAF will now require that intercollegiate athletes be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved waiver.”

As of now, coaches, trainers and traveling staff are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but the school will continue to discuss the possibility, according to White.

Student-athletes continue to arrive on campus as instruction begins school-wide on Monday. The volleyball program will compete in the annual Blue and Gold scrimmage on Saturday, while the cross country program will host their Blue and Gold meet on August 28. Swim will host their intrasquad meet September 17, hockey on September 24, while the rifle program will see its first action on October 15.

This story may be updated. Continue to monitor webcenterfairbanks.com.

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