Duke joins list of universities requiring boosters

Duke University announced this week that it will require students, staff, and faculty to receive booster doses of the coronavirus vaccine, joining a list of other universities expanding vaccine mandates. 

In a letter sent on Monday, Duke leaders wrote they implemented the new mandate due to rapidly rising cases of the omicron variant. 

“We are closely monitoring national, local and campus conditions in consultation with our infectious disease and public health specialists to determine if we need to make any changes in plans for the start of the Spring semester in January,” Duke said in its statement.

“In the meantime, it is vital that we take the necessary steps to keep our campus and community safe.  Effective immediately, Duke University, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic will require all students and employees to provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 booster shot in January or as soon as they are eligible under CDC and state guidelines,” the statement said. 

Duke will require all students and employees to receive the COVID-19 booster shot in January or as soon as they are eligible.https://t.co/FxWkkaPF6E pic.twitter.com/ENx7nsXaOS

— Duke News (@DukeNews) December 20, 2021

All Americans over 18 are eligible for a booster shot if its been at least six months since their initial vaccination series. 

The Duke letter also noted that more than 20,00 faculty and staff members and 4,000 students have already received their booster shots. 

“For those who have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to get your booster shot as soon as you are eligible and submit the documentation to update your records,” the university said. 

Duke follows Wesleyan University, University of Michigan, Michigan State University and others who have recently implemented their own vaccine booster mandates, The New York Times reported. 

The measures come as the omicron COVID-19 variant now makes up the majority of new virus cases in the country.

Ivy League universities Cornell, N.Y.U., and Princeton have shifted to remote learning for the final weeks of the semester due to the rise of virus cases, The Times reported. 

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said in a news conference on Monday the state reported 10,500 new virus cases and 1,630 patients ​​hospitalized with COVID on Friday.