University of Oregon will require boosters for students and employees

The University of Oregon announced on Monday it will require students, staff and faculty to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster.

While details about the deadlines and uploading records have not yet been announced, university officials suggested on social media that students use the winter break as an opportunity to get their boosters before returning to campus.

In a letter, President Michael Schill noted the expected spread of the omicron variant as a reason for the requirement. He said the university is following advice from Oregon public health officials, who are urging everyone to get their COVID-19 booster vaccination as soon as they are eligible.

“With more than 95% of students, faculty, and staff currently vaccinated, we have helped to keep our campus and community healthy.,” Schill wrote. “Boosters are the next step in the evolving public health strategy in which we have adapted and responded as a community during the pandemic.”

Per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, peoples 16 and older should get their booster six months after receiving a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two months after getting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Oregon State University has yet to announce whether they’re adding a booster requirement to their vaccination policy. According to the school website, OSU is following recent federal Executive Order 14042, which requires all federal contractors and subcontractors to have a fully vaccinated workforce. All OSU employees — including student workers — are required to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, regardless of whether they perform their duties on-site or remotely.