2021 2021: Massachusetts to expand eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 16+ and older on April 19

Director of Health Services Marianne Sullivan provides information on vaccinations and the University’s expectations ahead of the Phase 3 eligibility pool increase

Dear UMassD community,

On Monday, April 19, Massachusetts will expand the eligibility pool for the COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 16 years and older. This is an opportunity for our entire campus community to take part in the Commonwealth’s vaccination program.

UMass Dartmouth strongly encourages and recommends all students, faculty, and staff be vaccinated as soon as possible. Throughout the pandemic, the University has followed the science, which led to health and safety protocols that protected our campus. The science is clear that vaccination is the best way to stop COVID-19 from spreading and our best way to continue protecting each other’s wellbeing.

In order to ensure the continued health and safety of our campus community, UMass Dartmouth expects all members of our community to be vaccinated before the fall 2021 semester, with few exceptions, such as for medical and religious reasons. There are no federal or state legal requirements for vaccination at present, but the University will continue to closely monitor that guidance.

To preregister for a vaccination, please visit VaccineSignUp.mass.gov. Once you are preregistered, you will be notified when you can schedule an appointment at seven locations across the state, including the former Circuit City in Dartmouth and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. You can also use VaxFinder.mass.gov to find an appointment at retail pharmacies and community health centers near you.

Even after you are vaccinated, everyone on campus is still required to follow health and safety protocols like wearing face coverings, social distancing, and participating in our on-campus asymptomatic surveillance testing program.

To learn more about vaccines, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to keep themselves and their friends, family, co-workers, and community members safe. It has been a difficult time, but we are surely nearing the end of the pandemic.

Sincerely,

Marianne Sullivan, DNP, ANP-BC
Director of Health Services