Smith College mandates booster shots by Jan. 21

NORTHAMPTON — Smith College is requiring all eligible students, faculty and staff to receive COVID-19 booster shots by Jan. 21.

President Kathleen McCartney and David DeSwert, vice president for finance and administration, made the announcement in a letter to the community Monday.

McCartney and DeSwert observe that U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance is for anyone 18 and over to get booster shots as an additional layer of protection against the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and to prevent severe disease.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have monitored guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure that our protocols would keep our community safe,” they wrote. “Because of your efforts and the vigilance you have shown in following Smith’s Culture of Care plan, our campus community has remained healthy.”

Last week, the University of Massachusetts Amherst announced that all students would be required to have booster shots before the Jan. 25 beginning of the spring semester. Hampshire College, like Smith College, is mandating the boosters for both students and staff who are eligible.

Smith College is offering a booster clinic for students on Sunday.