BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Northeastern University announced Tuesday that all students returning to the school's campuses in the fall will have to be vaccinated against the coronavirus vaccine.
The school said on their website that students will have to be fully vaccinated by the first day of classes, unless they have a medical or religious exemption.
In a letter to students, Ken Henderson, chancellor and senior vice president for learning, said the "new vaccination policy applies across our global campuses and to all undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. As the speed of vaccinations and the vaccine supply increases, we expect that vaccines will be widely available in all of the countries where Northeastern maintains campuses by the time in-person classes resume in the fall."
Students will be required to show proof of vaccination. The school said they will announce in the coming days what that proof will entail.
"The pandemic has shown us the value of face-to-face interaction and the vital place it has in our community and in our mission as a university," Henderson said. " As we plan for a return to in-person classes and regular campus activities, we know that achieving herd immunity is crucial for the safety of our entire community. This vaccination requirement is the next step to “Protect the Pack” so we can continue to study, learn, and research side by side."
Massachusetts expanded eligibility to residents 55 and older, and those with one or more certain medical condition on Monday. Everyone 16 and older will be eligible starting on April 19. You can preregister for an appointment at a mass vaccination site here. You can also search for appointments at other locations through the state's VaxFinder tool.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App
(Photo: Mario Jarjour/WBZ NewsRadio)