*Published on April 6, 2021
Dear Northeastern University students,
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Northeastern has come together to take every possible step for our community’s health and safety—from wearing masks to healthy distancing to regular COVID-19 testing. Today, I write to announce a new health and safety measure that will help us achieve the full return to campus activities we are planning this fall. Beginning in the fall academic term, all students attending Northeastern University’s campuses will be expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the first day of classes.
The new vaccination policy applies across our global campuses and to all undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. As the speed of vaccinations and the vaccine supply increases, we expect that vaccines will be widely available in all of the countries where Northeastern maintains campuses by the time in-person classes resume in the fall. Northeastern will require proof of inoculation with vaccines that are approved in the country where the campus the student is attending is located.
Students may request religious and medical exemptions to the policy. Details on how to request an exemption and how to submit your proof of vaccination will be announced in due course.
We strongly encourage students to get the vaccine as soon as they become eligible. Northeastern is not currently distributing the vaccine, due to changes in the Massachusetts vaccination distribution plan, but students who are living, working or studying in Massachusetts can access the vaccine through the providers listed on vaxfinder.mass.gov. At our other locations, each campus is updating students on how and where to access the COVID-19 vaccine. For international students who may have limited access to the vaccine, Northeastern will assist you in getting the vaccine soon after your arrival. If you have additional questions, please email the COVID-19 vaccine inbox at covid19vaccine@northeastern.edu.
The pandemic has shown us the value of face-to-face interaction and the vital place it has in our community and in our mission as a university. As we plan for a return to in-person classes and regular campus activities, we know that achieving herd immunity is crucial for the safety of our entire community. This vaccination requirement is the next step to “Protect the Pack” so we can continue to study, learn, and research side by side.
Sincerely,
Ken Henderson Chancellor and Senior Vice President for Learning