Newton’s Lasell University To Require COVID-19 Booster Shots

NEWTON, MA — Lasell University in Newton will require students, faculty, and staff to get a COVID-19 booster shot when eligible, according to a statement released ahead of the spring 2022 semester.

Those who plan to be on campus at any point during the upcoming semester must obtain a booster shot and upload their card by Wednesday, Feb. 2. The school will be hosting on-campus booster clinic on Feb. 2 for those who are unable to receive the booster shot before that date.

"If you are eligible now, we encourage you to seek out the booster shot before returning to campus,” said Lasell in a letter to the school community. "You are eligible for a booster shot five months after your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and two months after the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”

"For those who will not yet be eligible to receive the booster shot by February 2nd, a temporary exemption will be granted, and you will be expected to receive the booster shot within one week of eligibility,” the letter continues.

In addition to requiring booster shots, Lasell will require all individuals who plan to be on campus during the spring semester be tested for COVID-19 at de Witt Hall upon arrival to campus the week of Jan. 17. Students are encouraged to also take a rapid antigen test the day they plan to leave to travel to campus.

From Jan. 17 through Feb. 4, masks will be required in all university buildings except for the dining hall and residence halls. This policy will be reevaluated the second week of February.

From Jan. 24 through Feb. 4, all students, faculty, and staff who are on campus three or more days a week are required to test twice a week. Those who are on campus two days or fewer a week are required to test once a week. This policy will also be reevaluated at the beginning of next month.

For more information on Lasell's COVID-19 policies, click here.