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Our state's Big Three universities will require Covid vaccine boosters for students and employees in the next few weeks.
The University of Michigan, Wayne State and Michigan State act as the Omicron variant threat widens, with Wayne, Oakland and Washtenaw among counties with confirmed cases. "We have detected a case of the Omicron variant in a student living off campus," U-M President Mark S. Schlissel says in a Friday announcement of the mandate.
(Photo: Wayne State)
WSU decides by Thursday whether to return temporarily to virtual classes next month. "We will institute a booster requirement for students, faculty and staff for the winter 2022 semester," its chief health officer says in a campus-wide email and posting Friday evening. The mandate takes effect Jan. 3.
"Those who are unvaccinated or past their due date for a booster will not be permitted on campus unless they have an approved waiver," says registered nurse Laurie Lauzon Clabo, the top health administrator. She adds:
"We anticipate a potential increase in cases and positivity rates in the coming weeks. These increases may make it necessary to transition all classes to a remote format for a limited time period at the beginning of the winter semester [Jan. 10]. We will send an additional communication to you regarding this by close of business Thursday, Dec. 23."
The Midtown Detroit university's Health Center, 5285 Anthony Wayne Dr., offers booster shots from 9:20 a.m.-3:40 p.m. this coming Monday and Tuesday and again on Jan. 4 and 13. Required appointments can be made here.
MSU's requirement, also covering students, faculty and other staff, takes effect Jan. 10 at the start of what it calls spring semester. "Those who fail to receive a booster when eligible will be considered noncompliant with MSU’s vaccine directives," President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. announced Friday. "This is an importanyt next step."
Online-only students can request an exemption.
At U-M, all Ann Arbor faculty, staff and students need boosters by Feb. 4 or as soon as eligible afterward. Dearborn and Flint campous rules are pending.
At the main campus, mask wearing regardless of vaccination status becomes mandatory from Jan. 2 until at least Jan. 17 in residence hall common areas. U-M already requires masks inside academic buildings and on transportation.
Related:
Detroit Teachers and Staff Must Have Covid Shots by February, Dec. 17