Georgetown University’s students, faculty, and staff will have to receive COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, according to a release from the school’s administration.
The decision is effective January 21, 2022, and also includes teleworking employees, students enrolled in one or more in-person courses, and visitors to the buildings owned or operated by the university.
Those who are not yet eligible for a booster shot will be given a deadline extension until they are eligible.
“Vaccination is one of the most important tools to protect members of our community and to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19,” Georgetown said in its statement. “COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Evidence available at this time suggests that vaccines continue to be very effective in preventing severe disease and death due to COVID-19 and all its variants, but that immunity wanes after about 6 months, and that booster shots can further enhance protection.”
Individuals with an approved medical or religious exemption as per federal or local law do not have to take any action in response to the new decision.
The university announced on December 13 that one of the four Omicron cases detected in the city by DC Health was a member of the school’s community.
Four Cases Identified With Omicron Variant of COVID-19, DC Health Says