BOSTON — As COVID cases continue to climb, more and more schools are requiring students and staff to get their booster shots. That list now includes thousands of students and staff at UMass campuses across the state.
UMass announced that all of its 93,000 students and staff will have to get their booster shots, but each of the five UMass schools is setting up its requirements.
At UMass Boston, students will be required to get a booster shot by February 15th, or within two weeks of becoming eligible. UMass Lowell set a deadline of February 28th. UMass Amherst and Dartmouth have not set a specific date.
Those already boosted at the UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester have to upload their documentation by January 10th, and the rest has three weeks to submit proof.
UMass is just the latest to fall in line with other schools in Boston are that have set booster mandates. These include Boston College, Northeastern University, and Emerson College. Smith College in Northampton is also another school in the state that is requiring boosters.
There are more than 1,000 colleges nationwide requiring students and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
As far as penalties for not complying, UMass Amherst says students may have a hold placed on their account, which means they may not be able to register for classes in the fall and could lead to more restrictions. The other four schools have not said anything yet about consequences.
To help get more people vaccinated, Fenway Park will once again be turned into a vaccine clinic to help people get their booster shots. The state announced thousands of new appointments will be opening up next week.
Starting January 6TH, health care staff at Fenway will be doing up to 1,300 doses a day for people either looking to get vaccinated or their booster shots. Fenway opened up at the beginning of 2021 as one of the states’ several mass vaccination sites, first offering shots to first responders than to the general public.
PREVIOUS: Baker releases additional COVID-19 vaccine, booster sites
Here are some of the other clinics opening up:
- January 5th: Melnea Cass Recreation Complex on MLK Jr Boulevard in Boston will be doing up to 400 doses daily
- January 5th: North Shore Community College in Lynn
- January 6th: the Taunton COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Clinic
- The Whittier Street Health Center on Tremont Street in Roxbury is already open and doing up to 500 shots a day. At all of the locations, appointments can be booked or walk-ins are accepted.
Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts
>> Complete Covid-19 vaccine coverage
RESOURCES:
- Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Watch Boston 25 NOW
- Download our free apps for your phone and smart TV
©2021 Cox Media Group
