In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent overhaul of the recommended childhood vaccination schedule, the American College Health Association (ACHA) is reaffirming its longstanding Position Statement on Vaccine Use to Promote Health and Prevent Disease.
As the national voice for college health, ACHA continues to emphasize that comprehensive vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for protecting our 19 million college students and ensuring the safety of our shared campus environments.
Implications for Campus Health in a Changing Public Health Landscape
While federal guidance has shifted toward a tiered framework for certain vaccinations, the unique nature of college and university settings—including high-density housing, shared dining spaces, close interpersonal interaction, and frequent domestic and international travel—can increase the risk of communicable disease transmission.
These characteristics make prevention strategies, including vaccination, particularly important for maintaining healthy campus environments.
Our Position and Continued Commitment
ACHA continues to support the use of vaccines that have been historically recommended for adolescents and young adults and that are grounded in robust public health evidence, in order to protect both individual students and the broader campus community.
ACHA encourages institutions of higher education to adopt evidence-informed vaccination practices, promote vaccine education, and implement policies that support high levels of vaccination coverage within applicable legal and regulatory frameworks.
We continue to discourage the use of nonmedical exemptions where allowable, given their potential impact on community health.
Post Type
Advocacy Updates, News & Announcements
