CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Duke University announced Monday that it will require all students and employees to get a COVID-19 booster shot before returning from the holiday break, amid concerns that the omicron variant is rapidly spreading.
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.
Duke University leaders cited Monday how the omicron variant has been reported in Durham and is now expected to quickly become the dominant strain of COVID-19. The Durham Public Health Department announced Monday that six confirmed omicron cases have been reported in the county, The News & Observer reported.
The emergence of the omicron variant could also alter the university’s spring semester plans. Duke students are currently scheduled to start spring semester on Jan. 5.
“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,” Sally Kornbluth, Duke’s provost, and Kyle Cavanaugh, Duke’s vice president of administration, said in the announcement.
Private schools requiring COVID shots
Duke and many other private North Carolina colleges and universities have required students to get COVID-19 vaccinations in order to attend classes. The UNC System has not issued a vaccinate mandate for its school but has strongly encouraged the shot, The N&O previously reported.
Duke says that while the omicron variant appears to cause fewer cases of severe illness, it’s much more contagious than the delta variant. The university says the rapid spread of omicron on the Durham campus could threaten educational activities.
More than 20,000 faculty and staff and nearly 4,000 students have already received their booster shots, according to the university. Duke says people who haven’t gotten the booster yet should do so as soon as possible and submit documentation to the university.
“These steps will help limit a potential outbreak on our campus and in our community and protect those most vulnerable to this virus,” Kornblut and Cavanaugh said.
