UMass-Amherst Requiring COVID-19 Booster Shots For All Students

AMHERST, MA — Before University of Massachusetts-Amherst students return to school for the spring semester, they will be required to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, school officials announced on Wednesday.

School officials said that the requirement is part of goal of providing a “safe and robust” student experience. The booster requirement is part of the school’s policy that students be fully immunized against COVID-19.

Students will also be required to be tested for the coronavirus within two weeks of returning to school for the spring semester, the university said on Wednesday.

The university provided students with three options for receiving the test.

Mail-in Test: Prior to their departure for winter break, students are able to pick up a testing kit and a pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope at the PHPC in the Campus Center. Students should conduct their unobserved test between Monday, Jan. 10 and Friday, Jan. 14, the school said.

Test in Person: The university said that the PHPC will be in operation for testing over winter break. Students who choose to do so may complete the COVID-19 test at the PHPC between Monday, Jan. 10 and Thursday, Jan. 13.

Stop The Spread Sites: Individuals anywhere in Massachusetts can test free of charge at any of the more than 450 Stop the Spread sites. Across the U.S., community-based testing sites are available. Individuals should conduct their test between Monday, Jan. 10 and Friday, Jan. 14, and have the results emailed to testing@umass.edu no later than Monday, Jan. 17. This must be a PCR test, the school said.

School officials said that at this time, they expect to continue to require face-coverings in indoor settings during the upcoming semester. However, they said the requirement will be reviewed during the semester.