ROCK HILL, S.C. — A cancer patient said her college is denying her a medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. Now, she’s unable to complete her final classes.
“I’m a straight A student. Why can I not pass these classes and be put out there on the front line?” Andrea Marsh said.
The 29-year-old is in the nursing program at York Technical College. The school requires the vaccine for students only in certain health programs.
She said she was given a medical exemption by her oncologist and instructed not to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I had breast cancer. It was stage three. It’s been a real struggle for me,” Marsh said.
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She said the care she received battling cancer inspired her to become a nurse, so last year she enrolled in an LPN program at York Tech.
“I was told that they would like for us to have the vaccine, but it was not required. I could not get it at the time because my doctor said no,” she said.
In December, Marsh said her school notified her that she would have to get vaccinated, but her doctor still advised against it.
“I have been on oral chemo since I came off of IV chemo and I’ve had a lot of check ups since then, but they told me that my cancer count was elevating,” Marsh said.
According to Marsh, York Tech refused to honor her medical exemption.
“Students in certain allied health and nursing programs rotate through third-party clinical sites to successfully complete the required clinical training component for these programs, in keeping with accreditation training standards. York Tech does not have authority over the policies and procedures of third-party healthcare providers,” a spokesperson for York Tech said in a statement to Channel 9.
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On Wednesday, the hospital where Marsh would conduct her clinicals told Channel 9 they would honor her medical exception. But new federal regulations at nursing homes would not allow Marsh to conduct her clinical without vaccination.
Marsh said her school could have allowed her to do the nursing home component of her clinicals virtually.
“Just like people with physical disability have wheelchair ramps. Why can’t I be excused? My doctor says I can’t have a vaccine. That’s just like a wheelchair, I can’t make it up the steps,” Marsh said.
York Tech said virtual clinical assignments were required during a very limited time frame when clinical facilities did not allow any students on their premises.
“Permission to conduct clinical training virtually was given by our national accrediting body. Since COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, we are now obligated to continue with pre-COVID clinical standards, which include students being actively engaged in direct patient contact and care,” the school said in a statement.
Marsh maintains that she should be allowed a special accommodation. She plans to file complaints with both state and federal officials.
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