Vaccine Requirement Announcement Sparks Controversial Comments on Princeton Instagram

Earlier today, in a memo from Dean of College, Jill Dolan, and Vice President for Campus Life, Rochelle Calhoun, Princeton University announced that it would require all undergraduate and graduate students who are planning to be on campus next fall to be fully vaccinated prior to August 1.

Shortly afterwards, the news was shared on the official Princeton University Instagram account in a post that (at the time of writing) has received approximately 9,500 likes and 590 comments.

A number of comments on the post, primarily from people with no clear ties to the university community, decried the university’s decision.

“All that brain power at the university and no common sense. Out of touch,” wrote Jack Lee, owner of social media networking site FansPlan.

“For a university you sure are blatantly stupid: 1. This age group is not at risk, 2. Vaccines should be taken by [patients] if they feel the need, 3. You have no right to require anything that is between [doctor] and patient,” wrote Instagram user ai_in_u.

“My body, my choice! #HumanRights #FakeCompassionActors” wrote Instagram user kfw70, who said that they were born and raised in Princeton. kfw70 commented over 40 times in various threads, engaging repeatedly in confrontations with Princeton students.

At least one parent of a Princeton student indicated that they were not in favor of the decision.

“I have absolutely zero issue with people who get this vaccine willingly,” wrote Ellen Jester in a comment. “For many it is an answer to prayer and gives them a sense of security and confidence to re-enter the world. That’s great! The problem is being forced to take it against your will. The vaccine is not fully FDA approved… And it very well may do everything they think and say it will. But those of us who have reservations about the overall safety of it and concerns about the rush to mandate it in order to do anything else also have rights.”

Dozens of students added comments on the post condemning anti-vaccine sentiment and misinformation.   

“The antivaxxers in the comments are horrifying,” wrote Madeline Yu ’23 in one comment.

“Here come the graduates of the Facebook Medical School,” wrote Tony Owens ’24 in another comment, which received over 250 likes.

The overwhelming majority of Princeton students in the comments section supported the decision. Some noted that the university already requires students to receive vaccines for other diseases like polio in order to come to campus.

“I am so grateful for this step the university is taking towards campus safety,” wrote Ida Narli, who according to her Instagram page is a member of the Princeton Class of 2025.

Others noted that the decision might imply that eating clubs, which have been closed for the past two semesters, might open in the fall.

“See y’all on the street when we’re all vaxxed,” wrote Shriya Bhatt ’22, referring to the popular name for Prospect Avenue, the street where all Princeton eating clubs are located.

A number of Princeton students added humorous comments to the thread. Many tagged others in the post, encouraging them to read the comments for entertainment.

“I will take [my vaccine] via late meal tendie,” wrote Santi Guiran ’22, in one comment that received over 100 likes, referring to the chicken tenders served at Princeton’s Frist Campus Center.

“I just want to thank each and every commenter for giving me a new chance to procrastinate,” wrote Bryan Alfaro ’24 in another comment.  

Instagram user cam_u_not added, “i’ll do it just accept me pls❤️.”