Notre Dame To Require COVID-19 Vaccine For Faculty And Staff In Fall 2021

The University of Notre Dame will require all faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the fall semester. 

The university announced last month it would require all undergraduate, graduate and professional students to be vaccinated in order to enroll for fall classes. At the time, faculty and staff were strongly encouraged, but not required, to get the vaccine.

In a letter sent to faculty and staff on Thursday, university officials asked those returning for the fall semester to provide proof of full vaccination no later than Aug. 2, three weeks before the start of classes. 

The letter says faculty and staff may apply for an exemption for "medical, religious or other strongly held beliefs." Those granted an exemption will undergo regular COVID-19 surveillance testing and will still be required to wear masks indoors on campus. 

The announcement comes after 90 percent of Notre Dame's student body received the two-dose Pfizer vaccine over the last two months. The university hasn't reported a positive COVID-19 case since May 7.

Contact Gemma at gdicarlo@wvpe.org or follow her on Twitter at @gemma_dicarlo.

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