California State University to require boosters for students, faculty and staff

Students, faculty and staff at California State University campuses will be required to receive Covid-19 vaccination boosters in order to access campus facilities for the upcoming spring term unless they have a medical or religious exemption.

Under the policy, boosters must be administered by Feb. 28 or six months after an individual received the final dose of the initial vaccination, whichever comes later. The system’s 23 campuses also each have the option of establishing an earlier deadline for students and nonunion employees.

“Vaccination, including a booster when eligible, remains our most effective strategy against infection and severe disease,” CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro said in a statement. “This is particularly important in light of the rapid rise of cases of Covid-19 throughout the state and nation as the omicron variant spreads. Implementing the booster requirement now will help mitigate the potential spread of the variant on campuses as they repopulate in January after the winter break.”

The state’s other public university system, the University of California, is also requiring students and staff to receive boosters for the upcoming term.