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Harris Disappointed in University of Maryland System Vaccine Mandate

April 23, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., expressed disappointment after the University System of Maryland mandated that all students, faculty, and staff be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of returning to campus in the fall.

Congressman Harris issued the following statement:

"As a physician, I have administered many COVID-19 vaccines – and I continue to encourage everyone, especially our most vulnerable, to get vaccinated. However, government mandates to require an individual to have an Emergency Use Authorized (EUA) vaccine flaunt the very federal FDA requirement that EUA products be optional, and that informed consent recognizing the unapproved nature of such products be obtained. Having received significant federal and state government COVID relief funding, I would hope the University System of Maryland took positive steps to boost vaccine confidence to convince students, faculty, and the broader academic community to be voluntarily vaccinated – but coercion is no substitute for informed consent in this case."

Further details of the University System of Maryland announcement can be found here.