01/28/2022
By Steve O'Riordan
After successful conversations with the university’s unions regarding implementation, and consistent with vaccination agreements reached prior to Fall Semester 2021, all currently eligible UMass Lowell employees are required to obtain a booster shot and should do so by Feb. 15, 2022. Employees not currently eligible to receive the booster are required to exercise best efforts to obtain their booster shot within 14 days of becoming eligible.
Employees can visit the Massachusetts VaxFinder to locate and schedule a booster shot appointment. After receiving their boosters, employees will be required to upload their updated vaccination information to an employee portal, which will be compliant with security and privacy requirements.
Further information with respect to uploading booster information will be forthcoming. The booster requirement, and all other COVID-19 related safety measures, shall continue to apply to all students, vendors and contractors on campus, with appropriate safety measures applying to visitors.
The booster requirement is consistent with the Center for Disease Control’s booster recommendations and follows clear evidence of waning immunity by the six-month mark for the two mRNA vaccines as well as the increased likelihood of breakthrough infections due to the recently identified omicron variant. Additionally, vaccinations have been shown to decrease the severity of illness as well as reduce the risk of transmission to others.
Please know that your hard work and dedication to the university continues to be deeply appreciated as we work together to achieve a safe and successful spring semester.