São Paulo state universities require full vaccination for in-person class return

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – São Paulo’s 3 state universities will require full vaccination of their teachers, students and employees for in-person classes to be resumed in this second semester.

According to a decree published on Friday, August 13, the University of São Paulo (USP) will resume in-person classes on October 4, exclusively for students who have been fully vaccinated against Covid. Altogether, the 3 campuses have some 180,000 students.

Rectors of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the State University of São Paulo (UNESP) have the same goal, but still no set date for the start – both universities plan to resume classes in September.

“Anyone who is fully vaccinated may attend,” said USP’s Rector Vahan Agopyan. The university ordinance determines that return will de allowed 14 days after the second dose has been administered – or after the single-dose Janssen vaccine.

Returning in-person is mandatory for everyone who has been vaccinated, for students and for staff, who must be on campus before students, on August 23. According to the Rector’s office, 50% of staff and teachers have already been immunized.

There is still no information advising students to whom they should show their vaccination cards. Agopyan says that employees must show proof of immunization to their superiors. The city of São Paulo is vaccinating youths aged 24 to 18 this week. The rector believes that if they take the Butantan vaccine, which requires 28 days between the first and second dose, many will only be able to return in October.

Agopyan is optimistic about the return and believes that in November the USP campus will be operating close to normal. By the end of August libraries, restaurants, classrooms, laboratories, and sports facilities should be open. “This will start to move campuses and when students come back the atmosphere will be more pleasant.”

“The teachers and technical and administrative staff who fail to be vaccinated by their own decision will not be allowed to return to in-person work, in order to prevent any harm to other people in the community,” reads the text. “Proof of compliance with this guideline will prevent the application of appropriate legal measures,” reads the USP ordinance.

The Federal Supreme Court (STF) has ruled that states and municipalities may determine that immunization is mandatory and even impose restrictions on those who refuse to be vaccinated. However, the measure does not imply forced vaccination, without the individual’s consent.

Mayor Ricardo Nunes on Saturday also issued a decree requiring municipal workers and employees to be vaccinated against Covid.

Example

“The university is a place of knowledge, of science, it must set an example of such,” says UNICAMP’s rector António José de Almeida Meirelles. “I know it is controversial, but we have to accept this responsibility,” he added.

According to him, the measure still needs to be detailed at UNICAMP. Teachers and employees will return on September 13 and, from then on, the return to in-person classes will be gradual. They will be able to work in laboratories or offices again, receive students and conduct in-person research.

“My plan is to expedite the return to in-person activities in teaching, but taking into account the diversity of the university. We have a logistical challenge in terms of space.” He says many rooms lack the space to comply with the 1-meter distance, because they accommodate at least 80 people.

Canteens also ceased to operate with the pandemic and will require new bids for contracting the service.

UNESP’s rector Pasqual Barretti, also a physician, said that it is “a consensus” among the 3 universities to demand full vaccination for the return. “It is a public statement of support for science,” he said.

UNESP, which has campuses in 24 cities in the state, is to return with in-person classes in October. Barretti says he is “sure” that everyone will be vaccinated and did not mention any sanctions against those who are not.