Cornell Didn't Racially Segregate Flu Vaccine Mandate

This year, Cornell is making students sign a “Student Behavioral Compact,” which essentially is an agreement to follow certain guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It says that they must “receive a 2020-2021 flu vaccine as directed by the University.” On their website, they further clarify these rules and provide information to various minority groups, including people of color. It notes that some black people may feel discriminated against by the medical community, and as such may be reluctant to take the vaccine.

For whatever reason, many right-leaning websites published articles about this. For the most part, articles on the subject assert that Cornell is making it so that only white people have to take the flu vaccine.

However, Misbar’s investigation found that the authors of these articles misinterpreted the mandate. While Cornell’s website addresses some concerns people of color may have, it does not allow for them to avoid flu vaccines. Cornell specifically mentions why flu vaccines are crucial to alleviate the problems caused by the pandemic. It says that they are necessary to protect other students, especially people with preexisting conditions. It also makes note that COVID-19 has actually affected black communities at a disproportionately high level.