A Shot in the Arm
In the effort to expedite Rutgers’ return to a semblance of normalcy for the 2021 fall semester, the university is requiring students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and strongly encouraging faculty and staff to do so. “We are committed to the health and safety of all members of our community,” said Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway. “Adding COVID-19 vaccination to our student immunization requirements will help provide a safer and more robust college experience for our students.” Students may request an exemption for medical or religious reasons, and those enrolled in fully remote online degree programs or participating in online-only continuing education programs will not be required to be vaccinated. Rutgers was one of the first in the nation to require vaccination of students, a policy followed by other universities nationwide. In May, Rutgers began providing vaccinations at its three university locations. The Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy serves as the “point of dispensing” at Rutgers University–New Brunswick where rising junior Jordan K. Clavida, pictured, was the first student to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.