High COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Among University Students and Employees

The City of Cambridge extends a warm welcome to returning university students and staff after a year and a half of interrupted academic life. COVID-19 vaccines and increased knowledge of measures that help control the spread of the virus will help students have a more traditional residential experience this fall. The City’s three largest academic institutions - Harvard, MIT, and Lesley - report high vaccination rates among their students and employees. The universities will also be promoting mask wearing, testing, and social distancing as appropriate to keep students and the broader community safe. The City and the Cambridge Public Health Department look forward to continuing our partnership with Cambridge universities as we work together to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Harvard University

Harvard is requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any on-campus presence this fall. Exceptions will be provided for medical or religious reasons.

The vast majority of students and employees have already been vaccinated. As of August 23, this included 90% of students and 94% of employees. International students who have not had access to the vaccine will be vaccinated when they arrive on campus. Harvard students will also be required to have a flu shot this season. Harvard will also continue to require that those authorized to be on campus undergo high frequency testing. The University’s indoor mask requirement also remains in place.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

All MIT students, employees, and affiliates accessing campus are required to be vaccinated unless they receive an exemption for medical or religious reasons; employees may also receive an exemption due to an approval to work remotely full-time. As of August 27, 98% of the members of the MIT community had been fully vaccinated. Students who are unvaccinated upon arrival to campus due to experiencing temporary barriers to accessing the vaccine will be vaccinated at MIT Medical upon arrival to campus. MIT students will also be required to have a flu shot.

Lesley University

All Lesley students will be required to submit proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or to have an approved medical or religious exemption to participate in any on-campus experience this fall. While Lesley does not currently have a university-wide vaccination mandate for employees, it is requiring employees who will be on campus to affirm that they are fully vaccinated or to have an approved medical or religious exemption. Lesley is requiring everyone to wear a face mask indoors in the presence of others regardless of vaccination status. Access to campus buildings and attendance at in-person events will be limited to Lesley students and employees with certain limited exceptions. All visitors must be approved in advance and will be asked to submit a form affirming that they are fully vaccinated. In addition, Lesley will require flu shots for all students and employees who will be on campus.