The University of Michigan and Michigan State University will require all students, faculty and staff to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination for the next semester in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
The two universities, with the two largest student enrollments in the state, released statements Friday announcing the requirement, noting the omicron variant being found in the state.
MSU said in its release that the deadline to get a booster shot is the beginning of the spring semester on Jan, 10, while Michigan’s release said Feb. 4.
Both schools already require vaccination against COVID-19 and have set their policies to reflect access and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation to receive a booster as long as they are 18 years old or older and are 6 months out from having gotten their last vaccine in their series.
In July, both university presidents announced that vaccines would be required for the fall semester due to spread of the highly infectious delta variant.
The first case of the omicron variant was found in Kent County earlier this month. The CDC says the omicron variant may be even more contagious than the highly spreadable delta variant.