How Legal Is Mandating Vaccines for College Students?

Carlton Fields Shareholder and Core Triangle Consulting Vice President Rae Vann was quoted in a Tampa Bay Business Journal article inquiring if collegiate institutions can require COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff.

"We all need to be very cautious because we’re all in uncharted territory with Covid-19, both the infections and the vaccines," said Vann. "We’re operating under an emergency use authorization. So, the law really is still fairly untested, [regarding] whether, and to what extent, universities can mandate a vaccination that is not approved by the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration].

"It may be ultimately more effective and practical for colleges and universities — to the extent they're really grappling with this mandate question — to just develop really strong education campaigns and voluntary vaccination campaigns," shared Vann.

Read the article. (Subscription may be required).

©2026 Carlton Fields, P.A. Carlton Fields practices law in California through Carlton Fields, LLP. Carlton Fields publications should not be construed as legal advice on any specific facts or circumstances. The contents are intended for general information and educational purposes only, and should not be relied on as if it were advice about a particular fact situation. The distribution of this publication is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship with Carlton Fields. This publication may not be quoted or referred to in any other publication or proceeding without the prior written consent of the firm, to be given or withheld at our discretion. To request reprint permission for any of our publications, please use our Contact Us form via the link below. The views set forth herein are the personal views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the firm. This site may contain hypertext links to information created and maintained by other entities. Carlton Fields does not control or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this outside information, nor is the inclusion of a link to be intended as an endorsement of those outside sites.