BOSTON — Colleges and universities across the Boston area are weighing if booster shots should be mandatory for students and staff returning in the spring semester.
Just last week, UMass Amherst became one of the first schools in the country to announce it will be requiring the additional dose in 2022. Neighboring Smith and Hampshire colleges are also mandating booster shots.
A growing list of schools across the country are making the same decision including Syracuse University, Notre Dame and Wesleyan University.
“I think the booster shots should be required,” said Northeastern student Ainsley Thompson. “Since the vaccine is already required, I think it’s just a good idea to keep everyone on the same playing field.”
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Boston 25 News reached out to 12 colleges and universities across the Boston area to see if any planned to require booster shots.
“Simmons is seriously considering a booster requirement for our community for the spring semester,” read a statement from Simmons spokesperson Laura Wareck.
A statement from Boston College spokesperson Jack Dunn echoed a similar message:
“We are definitely considering it. We required vaccination for all students, faculty and staff this semester and are likely to require the booster for everyone for the second semester.”
For now, many institutions in the Boston area are encouraging students and staff to get the booster shot. Some schools said they’re currently waiting on the CDC to update the definition of what “fully vaccinated” means.
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Boosters are approved for all three COVID vaccines and recommended by the CDC for all adults six months after the Pfizer or Moderna shots and two months after the Johnson & Johnson shot.
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