Salem State, MA Universities To Require Coronavirus Booster Shots

Salem MA

22 December, 2021

10:11 AM

Description

SALEM, MA —Coronavirus vaccination booster shots will be required for students, faculty and employees for the spring semester at Salem State University and the eight other schools in the Massachusetts Public University system. At Salem State, the mandate applies to all undergraduate and graduate students who are attending in-person classes, conducting research on campus, living in residence halls or participating in campus-life activities. Staff and full-time faculty are also required to be vaccinated and boosted or request an exemption regardless of whether they are working on campus or remotely. Part-time faculty who teach or conduct research on campus also must be vaccinated and boosted. Part-time faculty who teach fully remotely are not allowed on campus unless they comply with the Salem State vaccine mandate. Students who are fully remote are encouraged to be vaccinated and upload a copy of their vaccination card to the health portal, though students who do not take part in any on-campus activities — including athletics — will not be required to be vaccinated. Students and staff are encouraged to get their booster shots as soon as they are eligible, but the university said on its website "we ask that you receive the booster within a month of your eligibility." Students and staff are eligible for a booster shot six months after their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or two months after their Johnson & Johnson. "While the original vaccine is continuing to provide protections, the booster will provide additional protections especially as we face new variants and a new surge in cases," the school said. Bridgewater, Fitchburg, Framingham, Salem, Westfield and Worcester State Universities, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy make up the Massachusetts Public University system that announced the statewide policy on Tuesday. "With the continuing transmission of the delta variant and the emergence of the omicron variant, the safety of our campus communities remains at the forefront of our planning as we prepare to return to in-person learning and campus life," Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts James Birge said in a statement on Tuesday. Salem State will also continue its indoor mask policy for all students, faculty and staff regardless of vaccination status. Masks are required in all indoor public spaces and are recommended in outdoor locations if people are not able to socially distance. (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)