Announcing a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot Requirement

December 14, 2021

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community:

Earlier this fall, we strongly recommended that members of our community receive their COVID-19 vaccine booster shot as soon as they were eligible. Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strengthened their recommendation to say all eligible people “should” receive a COVID-19 booster shot.

After very careful consideration and consultation with leadership of the Faculty Senate, Staff/AAP Advisory Council, academic and administrative leaders, student leaders, our public health advisory group, and our Board of Directors, we will implement a COVID-19 booster shot requirement for faculty, staff, and students, beginning in the spring semester. This requirement will be an additional part of our layered public health approach to COVID-19.

Booster shots are available for free in pharmacies and health facilities in the DC area and around the country. We recommend that you get the booster shot at your earliest opportunity. Please visit Vaccines.gov to find the closest vaccination site to you. We are also working to make booster shots available on campus for students, faculty, and staff. You can register in advance to receive a booster shot (Moderna) on Main Campus and at the Law Center now through December 21st. Additional booster clinics will be announced.

As a reminder, staff/AAP employees may use COVID-19 Vaccination Paid Time Off for their booster shot appointment and to recover from any short-term side effects.

Members of our University community should provide documentation of their booster shot on or before January 21st. Students, faculty, and staff who have been vaccinated recently and are not yet eligible to get a booster will receive a deadline extension until they are eligible, at which time they will need to get a booster shot and submit documentation. Medical and religious exemptions will continue to be granted in accordance with federal and local law. For more details about implementation, we have a COVID-19 Vaccines webpage with additional information and frequently asked questions.

I am grateful for your continued commitment to protect our campus community and extended communities of family, friends, and loved ones against COVID-19.

Sincerely,

John J. DeGioia