COVID is increasing in New Hampshire’s college towns. For example, Durham recently reported 164 active COVID cases, 155 of them students (Fosters, 3/25/2021). Students live, shop and work in their communities, alongside the adult population, many remaining for summer jobs. COVID spreads easily in these densely populated towns.

Gov. Chris Sununu has refused the COVID vaccine for students from out of state, claiming “No state in New England is giving out-of-state college students vaccine.”

False. The Associated Press reports that all other New England states are making out-of-state students eligible for the vaccine (Portsmouth Herald, 4/2/2021).

Sununu maintains “no state is given vaccine” from the federal government for out-of-state students.

False. A letter from leaders of eight NH college towns contradicts: “The U.S. Census counts all college students residing in a community while attending school, irrespective of their home state, as NH residents…the vaccine is distributed to U.S. states on a pro-rated, per capita basis…students from other states attending school in NH have been included in NH’s vaccine allocation.”

Sununu insists, “By the time they have antibodies, they will be out of the state” for the summer.

False. The University of New Hampshire is hosting two COVID-10 vaccination clinics Thursday, April 8 and Friday, April 9, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Whittemore Center. UNH begins final exams May 13, so students will remain in the state for their second shot, even if they are not staying for a summer job, internship or study. Register at https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6XteRE4xpHUnV8a.

Sununu claims that vaccinating out-of-state students now would “push back appointment dates for thousands of New Hampshire residents.”

False. Strafford County Public Health Network announced its team is “ready to execute the vaccines without reducing capacity for NH residents…it would not delay N.H. resident vaccinations. … We believe it’s best for our region’s health and economy.”

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