Ibrahim Gardner
University students' eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots has been a highly debated topic. While some universities strongly recommend and incentivize students to get their boosters, others have made it mandatory for students to receive their booster shots to continue in-person classes. This decision is influenced by the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, such as the Omicron variant, and the goal of creating a safe campus environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University COVID-19 Booster Requirements | More than 30 colleges have issued COVID-19 booster mandates for students. |
| University COVID-19 Booster Recommendations | Some universities recommend and incentivize students to get the COVID-19 booster. |
| University COVID-19 Booster Exemptions | Some universities allow for medical and religious exemptions from the booster mandate. |
What You'll Learn
University COVID booster mandates
As new COVID variants emerge and cases surge, universities are re-evaluating their COVID-19 policies. Many universities are now requiring students to receive a COVID-19 booster shot to protect against infection and severe disease. This comes as no surprise, as over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country previously required COVID-19 vaccinations for in-person attendance.
California State University
California State University, the nation's largest four-year public university, has mandated that students, faculty, and staff receive a COVID-19 booster shot for the spring semester. This decision was made amid concerns about the highly contagious omicron variant. The university allows for medical and religious exemptions, and the deadline for receiving the booster is February 28, or six months after the final dose of vaccination.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is also requiring students to be vaccinated and boosted for the spring semester. Students who are not fully vaccinated and do not have a religious or medical exemption are barred from registering for classes. VCU is offering incentives for students to get vaccinated, such as $500 financial incentives for those who are fully vaccinated, including the booster shot.
Columbia University
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) strongly recommends that all students receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. CUIMC is offering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to eligible students by appointment only. The vaccine is covered by Aetna Student Health Insurance with $0 out-of-pocket cost. Columbia University accepts all vaccines authorized/approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization.
Other Universities
Several other universities across the country have issued similar COVID-19 booster mandates, including the University of California, Boston University, NYU, the University of Chicago, Michigan State University, and the University of Oregon. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, it is likely that more universities will follow suit and require booster shots for their students and staff.
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University COVID booster recommendations
Booster eligibility
As of November 2021, individuals aged 18 and older are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot. This applies to those who have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series more than six months ago (or more than two months ago if they had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine).
University recommendations
More than 30 colleges in the US have issued COVID-19 booster mandates for students and staff, with the expectation that this number will rise. These include large universities like Boston University, NYU, the University of Chicago, Michigan State University, and the University of Oregon, as well as dozens of smaller liberal arts and Ivy League campuses.
Some universities, such as Virginia State University, are strongly encouraging students to get the booster shot, but not requiring it. They are offering financial incentives for students who choose to get the booster.
Recommendations for clinical students
Students enrolled in clinical programs at Columbia University must provide documentation of having received the COVID-19 primary series or at least one dose of an authorized/approved COVID-19 vaccine after 2022, unless a formal medical exemption is granted.
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University COVID booster exemptions
University students are eligible for a COVID-19 booster, and many universities are requiring students to receive a booster shot. However, some universities are allowing for exemptions in certain cases.
University COVID-Booster Exemptions
Some universities, such as Princeton University, allow for booster exemptions and accommodations for students, faculty, and staff with approved exemptions. These exemptions must be applied for and are reviewed carefully in accordance with university policy and law. At Princeton, individuals with approved exemptions from the initial COVID-19 vaccine mandate are not required to apply for another exemption and are not required to get a booster.
The University of Michigan also offers exemption requests for those seeking a medical or religious exemption or temporary postponement from the COVID-19 booster. These exemption requests are reviewed and approved or denied based on the type of request. Medical exemption requests are reviewed by qualified health care professionals, while student religious exemption requests are reviewed by the Office of Student Life.
Similarly, Virginia State University does not require COVID-19 vaccinations for employees or students as a general condition of employment, enrollment, or in-person attendance. However, the university strongly encourages vaccination and offers financial incentives for those who choose to get vaccinated, including the booster shot.
California State University also allows for medical and religious exemptions to its COVID-19 booster mandate.
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University COVID booster appointments
Am I eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot?
As of November 2021, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced that individuals aged 18 and above are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot. This applies to those who have completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series more than six months ago (or more than two months ago if they had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine).
If you think you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot, you should schedule a vaccination appointment as soon as possible. You can do this by visiting your university's student health portal or by using the COVID Vaccine Finder to locate a convenient vaccination site in your community.
Remember to bring your CDC vaccination card with you so that your booster shot can be recorded.
Once you have received your booster shot, you will need to upload your vaccine documentation to your university's student health portal. This is typically found in the 'Medical Clearances' or 'Immunizations' section of the portal.
If you are not already fully vaccinated, you may be barred from registering for classes or attending campus. Some universities are offering exemptions for students with medical or religious reasons. However, these students may still be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and wear masks at all times on campus.
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University COVID booster costs
University students in the US are eligible for a COVID-19 booster, and many universities are requiring students to get the booster shot. For example, Cornell University, Princeton University, New York University, Stanford University, and Syracuse University are among the universities that have issued COVID-19 booster shot mandates.
University COVID-19 Booster Costs
The cost of a COVID-19 booster vaccination includes the cost of the vaccine itself and the vaccination administration. The cost of the BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) is $19.50 per dose, and the vaccination administration cost is $17.10 per dose. Thus, the total cost of the BNT162b2 booster vaccination is approximately $36.60.
It is important to note that the cost of the COVID-19 booster vaccination may vary depending on the vaccine brand and the location. Additionally, there may be other associated costs, such as the cost of PCR testing to confirm a SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is estimated to be $51 per person.
Some universities may offer incentives for students to get the COVID-19 booster vaccination. For example, Virginia State University (VSU) offers a financial incentive of $500 to all fully vaccinated students, including those who have received the booster shot.
Cost-Effectiveness of COVID-19 Booster Vaccination
Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of COVID-19 booster vaccination strategies. These studies have found that booster vaccination strategies are likely to be cost-effective, especially in settings with high SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates.
A study in the United States found that offering the BNT162b2 booster to older adults aged 65 years and above is likely to be cost-effective. The study estimated that the booster strategy would incur an additional cost of $3.4 million in vaccination costs but save $6.7 million in direct medical costs and gain 3.7 quality-adjusted life years in 180 days. This corresponds to a benefit-cost ratio of 1.95 and a net monetary benefit of $3.4 million.
Another study compared the cost-effectiveness of different booster policies in Thailand and found that all three booster strategies considered (twice-a-year vaccination, annual vaccination, and biennial vaccination) substantially reduced the number of cases, hospital admissions, and severe infections compared to a no-booster policy. The biennial booster scenario was the most cost-saving policy, followed by the annual booster scenario.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of COVID-19 booster doses and oral antivirals in four middle-income countries (Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste) found that annual booster programs were cost-saving and cost-effective from both healthcare and societal perspectives in all study settings and under all eligibility criteria. The study also found that providing oral antivirals to high-risk adults was likely to be cost-effective, especially if procured at a low generic price.
Overall, the evidence suggests that COVID-19 booster vaccination strategies are likely to be cost-effective, particularly in settings with high transmission rates and among older adult populations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, university students are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot.
No, not all universities require their students to get the COVID-19 booster shot. However, many universities are strongly recommending that their students get the booster shot when eligible.
Eligibility for the COVID-19 booster shot depends on the time that has passed since your last vaccination. In the US, the CDC recommends that individuals aged 18 and older receive a booster shot if it has been more than six months since their last vaccination or more than two months if they received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
