Important update on Tufts’ COVID-19 and flu vaccination policies

January 5, 2023

Dear Tufts community members,

After considerable review and discussion and considering input from a wide variety of community stakeholders, Tufts is no longer requiring the bivalent (Omicron) booster for all students, faculty, and staff. Tufts is also modifying its influenza vaccination policy and is no longer requiring the flu shot for students on the Medford/Somerville and SMFA campuses.

The changes to Tufts University’s vaccination requirements are outlined below.

COVID-19:

All eligible students, faculty, staff, vendors, and affiliates must have received a COVID-19 vaccine primary series (two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and at least one booster dose.
Although no longer specifically required, the bivalent booster remains an important public health measure, and we strongly encourage everyone to receive it.
All eligible individuals are advised to keep up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines including boosters following U.S. CDC guidance.
Since the bivalent booster is no longer specifically required, there is no longer a compliance deadline.
If you have already received the bivalent booster, we encourage you to upload your documentation to help us track the level of vaccination in our community to go.tufts.edu/vaccineupload or email SAHA-Imm-Admin@tufts.edu (Boston/Grafton students).

Influenza:

Tufts University will not require an annual influenza vaccination (flu shot) for students on the Medford/Somerville and SMFA campuses. However, an annual flu shot is required for all Tufts Health Science students on the Boston and Grafton campuses. See more information on Health Sciences immunizations.
Tufts University strongly encourages all students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated against influenza during the 2022-2023 flu season following U.S. CDC guidance.

Tufts University reserves the right to revisit these changes and adjust its COVID-19 and/or influenza vaccination policies at any point in the future.

I appreciate your understanding as we adjust our university vaccination policies.

Sincerely yours,

Michael R. Jordan, MD, MPH, FIDSA

Executive Medical Director Occupational Health Services

University Infection Control Director

Associate Professor of Medicine and Public Health and Community Medicine