The California State University (CSU) system will now require COVID-19 booster shots for the spring 2022 semester.
A press release Wednesday, from the CSU stated that faculty, staff, and students on university campuses will need to receive the booster shot in order to be considered fully vaccinated.
Those accessing university facilities must be vaccinated by Feb. 28, 2022, or six months after their final COVID-19 dose.
In the statement, CSU Chancellor Joseph I. Castro said, “Implementing the booster requirement now will help mitigate the potential spread of the variant on campuses as they repopulate in January after the winter break."
Students and staff can seek exemptions on medical and religious grounds.
Cal Poly is one of the 23 CSU campuses affected by the mandate.
However, because it is on a quarter system rather than a semester system, the booster mandate will affect students and staff returning for the start of winter quarter on January 3. Cal Poly's definition of "fully vaccinated" will change to require a booster effective January 20.
Cal Poly students will also be required to test for COVID-19 during the first week of winter quarter.
The CSU announcement comes a day after the University of California announced a similar mandate for its 10 campuses, including UC Santa Barbara, saying that a COVID-19 booster shot is required under the existing UC policy that says students and staff must keep their vaccination status up to date.
