Harvard Requires Students to Be Vaccinated for Fall

President Bacow releases directive to the community.

Harvard University shield

The University announced today that Harvard, like at least a couple of hundred other institutions of higher education (see The Chronicle of Higher Education’s list here), will require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to return to campus this fall.

President Lawrence S. Bacow, Provost Alan M. Garber, Executive Vice President Katie Lapp, and Giang T. Nguyen, executive director of Harvard University Health Services, wrote, “We hope to be able to offer a less restricted, robust on-campus experience for all our students this fall,” assuming rates of infection can be kept low. That will require continued regular coronavirus testing, with details on the regimen forthcoming.

Given the availability of vaccines, and accumulating evidence of their efficacy and safety, they wrote, “To reach the high levels of vaccination needed to protect our community, Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all students who will be on campus this fall. As with existing student requirements for other vaccines, exceptions will be provided only for medical or religious reasons. Students should plan to be fully vaccinated before returning to campus for the fall semester.” International students who cannot arrange for vaccination before the fall semester begins will be offered vaccination on arrival, but may be subjected to additional requirements, such as additional testing. Faculty and staff members, and researchers working on campus, are also expected to be vaccinated.

Read more articles by: John S. Rosenberg

You might also like

A New Chapter for Harvard Arts

The Office for the Arts turns 50, and its longtime director steps down.

Education School Announces Interim Dean

Nonie Lesaux will serve as dean during the search for a new one.

Harvard Students form Pro-Palestine Encampment

Protesters set up camp in Harvard Yard.

Most popular

“Armenian creativity, culture, and survival”

A museum reflects an ancient civilization and the modern global diaspora.

Something from Nothing

Painter, animator, illustrator, and silhouettist Susan Bin

The Medical-Robotics Revolution

Engineering advances in surgery, mobility, and patient care

More to explore

What is the Best Breakfast and Lunch in Harvard Square?

The cafés and restaurants of Harvard Square sure to impress for breakfast and lunch.

How Homelessness is a Public Health Crisis

Homelessness has surged in the United States, with devastating effects on the public health system.

Portfolio Diet May Reduce Long-Term Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke, Harvard Researchers Find

A little-known diet improves cardiovascular health through several distinct mechanisms.