7 Vaccinated Stanford Students Test Positive For COVID-19

PALO ALTO, CA — Seven Stanford students who were vaccinated for COVID-19 tested positive for the virus this week and were symptomatic, the university announced Thursday.

While breakthrough cases for fully vaccinated people are rare, university officials noted they are possible and that face coverings, physical distancing and hand hygiene remain important in preventing spread of COVID-19.

University officials did not elaborate on the nature of how the students may have contracted the virus. Stanford is planning for a return to in-person classes in the fall quarter and requiring that students and staff be vaccinated before coming to campus. More than 90 percent of the Stanford community has been vaccinated, according to the university.

On Monday, the university announced that fully vaccinated students no longer have to be tested for COVID-19.

However, with the prevalence of the more contagious Delta variant, Stanford also recommended that face coverings be worn in crowded indoor spaces on campus and required masks in campus spaces that are open to the public, like the bookstore.

“Again, vaccinations are effective at preventing severe illness,” wrote two university officials — Vice Provost for Student Affairs Susie Brubaker-Cole and Vaden Health Services Executive Director Jim Jacobs — in a letter to the Stanford community. “However, we need everyone to be vigilant. The variants remain of concern.”