I know that this forum isn't intended for this type of thing, but nonetheless...
There are relatively few places where I can ask this sort of thing without being laughed off, or having to pay, or being placed on some sort of watchlist as an "antivaxxer", especially now NNN is gone, so here we are...
Saying "private entity" felt wrong, in this case, because here I am referring to my University, which uhh, isn't private...
So then, here's the rub: my University wants to mandate that we, as students, need to be vaccinated. That's scary enough, but they specifically want to force us to take the AstraZeneca jab, because that is the only one currently available to people of our age group (i.e. students) across much of Australia. AZ is the one with most of the problems. That is what I really want to avoid, never mind the precedent of being forced to get a jab, overall, even just to complete my classes...
So... What do you think I should do? I'm serious, here. I'm not joking. I need this degree. I know education is overvalued. I know that. But I really do need this stupid piece of paper. So I wondered... What recourse do you think I have, to at least make them wait out a few months until Pfizer is available, if this goes ahead? Aside from "lawyering up", and becoming a "legal test case", that is..?
I should add that two companies in Aus, leaving aside the entire aged-care sector, already have vaxx mandates (fruit production, and an airline, FYI), so... The precedent has already been set.
But yeah, I'm worried about what this means, and I would genuinely appreciate your advice on this. Cheers in advance, and thanks for (hopefully) taking this somewhat seriously...
There are a couple suggestions:
Religious exemption is probably the most obvious, but simultaneously is going to probably be the hardest, and will almost assuredly require a lawyer getting involved because these people are willing to go to extreme lengths.
Medical exemption is the "easiest" but requires that you actually have a medical exemption....or a doctor that is willing to "help" get you a medical exemption. Though there are some other factors at play here that can help. Such as: A family member (including extended family) suffering an adverse reaction to this (or any coronavirus) vaccine. Or family members suffering adverse reactions to any vaccine(s). The first 1 is an easier argument, the second one is a bit more challenging but should still work.
If neither of these apply to you....the only other option you have is a legal battle. Basing things on informed consent, the right to refuse treatment, and the Nuremberg Code (which ties into both).