BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The University of Vermont announced Wednesday it would require that all students be vaccinated against COVID-19 when at least one of the vaccines currently in use has received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

The school said the requirement would apply to all students entering or returning in the fall of 2021.

The school says officials consulted with public health and infectious disease experts before reaching the decision.

They say a fully vaccinated student population is the best way to protect the health of students, employees and the broader Burlington community against COVID-19.

A number of private colleges in Vermont have already said they will require vaccinations for students this fall.

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APPROACHING 80%

On Wednesday the Vermont Health Department reported 79.6% of eligible Vermonters have received at least one dose of a vaccine to protect against COVID-19.

The state expects to reach the 80% threshold later this week when all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted.

On Tuesday, 754 people received their first vaccine, with 2,385 vaccines remaining before hitting 80%.

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NUMBERS

On Wednesday, the Vermont Health Department reported five new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to 24,300.