Student Requirement

Booster requirements for students

All undergraduate and graduate students must receive a booster and update their vaccination information in MyUHS by Monday, January 31, or 30 days after they become eligible. Compliance with the vaccine policy is necessary to maintain prox access to campus facilities and to continue your progress to degree.

When Am I Eligible for a Booster?

Five months after the second dose of an mRNA vaccine, including Pfizer and Moderna.
Two months after the single dose of the J&J Janssen vaccine.
Students who received a WHO-approved vaccine that is not Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J should follow the CDC guidelines for boosters.
If you are not eligible to get a booster before January 31, 2022, you will have 30 days from the date that you become eligible to enter your vaccine booster information into MyUHS. For example, a student who got their second dose of Moderna on August 15 would be eligible for a booster on February 15 and would need to get a booster and enter their vaccine information in MyUHS by March 17, 2022.
As of March 15, 2022, individuals are eligible to receive COVID boosters 5 months after their initial COVID vaccines, and should do so within 30 days of that 5 month mark. This timeline is regardless of a recent COVID diagnosis, as a review of scientific evidence indicates there is no reason to delay receiving a booster despite a recent COVID infection. Students must upload proof of booster to MyUHS.

Please note: Anyone eligible for a booster may receive either the Moderna or Pfizer version, regardless of their original COVID-19 vaccine. “Third doses” of the vaccine for immunocompromised people will count as a booster for the purpose of this policy.

Student Vaccination Requirement

Princeton University requires all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled or otherwise present on campus during the 2021-22 academic year to receive, and to provide proof of having received, a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). As soon as students are vaccinated, they must upload their COVID-19 vaccine record into the myUHS portal.

Undergraduate and graduate students, including international students with questions about how to receive a vaccine authorized by the FDA, should visit the COVID Resources website for more information and answers to frequently asked questions.

Medical and religious exemptions from the vaccination requirement will be granted in accordance with the University’s reasonable accommodation policies and legal requirements.

Students who are not fully vaccinated should continue to do the Daily Symptom Check.

Questions and Answers about Required Vaccinations

Will the University require that students receive a COVID-19 vaccination for the 2021-22 academic year?: Yes. Princeton University will require all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled or otherwise present on campus during the 2021-22 academic year to receive, and provide proof of having received, a COVID-19 vaccination authorized by the FDA or WHO. In addition to the COVID-19 vaccine, several other immunizations are required for all undergraduate and graduate students by the State of New Jersey and the University. For more information, please refer to University Health Services webpage on required immunizations.
Does this requirement apply to enrolled graduate students studying in absentia?: No. This requirement does not apply for those graduate students approved by their departments and the Graduate School to be enrolled in absentia for the 2021-22 academic year in its entirety. (Note: For the rest of these FAQs, “students” refer to both undergraduate and graduate students).
What COVID-19 vaccines may be used to fulfill the University’s vaccination requirement?: Students are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the FDA or the WHO.
How should students submit proof of vaccination to the University?: As soon as students are vaccinated, they must upload their COVID-19 vaccine record into the myUHS portal.
How will the University use information I submit regarding my proof of vaccination?: This information may be used to determine your COVID-19 vaccination status and your suitability for certain University activities in accordance with COVID-19 policies, and for reporting and operational planning purposes. The University will store this information in accordance with its information security policy and will restrict access to a limited number of authorized personnel. In addition, University Health Services and other authorized personnel may use relevant portions of your personally identifiable information when deemed necessary to ensure compliance with COVID-19 policies Princeton University has put in place to protect the health and safety of the campus community.
Do students need to be vaccinated before moving on to campus?: Yes. New students and continuing students who are not here over the summer are expected to receive all required immunizations before arriving on campus and submit proof of having received such vaccine before arriving on campus.
Will undergraduate students enrolled in the 2021-22 academic year be permitted to live off-campus?: First- and second-year undergraduates are required to live on campus. Juniors and seniors may live off campus, in accordance with the University’s regular policies and procedures.
Will students living off campus be required to get vaccinated?: Princeton University will require all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled or otherwise present on campus during the 2021-22 academic year to receive, and provide proof of having received, an FDA or WHO authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
Will vaccinated students still need to participate in the asymptomatic testing program?: Yes. Students who are required to participate in the University’s asymptomatic testing program must continue to participate regardless of their vaccination status. This is subject to change as public health guidance evolves. More information will be provided closer to the fall.
Will medical and religious exemptions from the vaccination requirement be granted?: Medical and religious exemptions from the vaccination requirement will be granted in accordance with the University’s reasonable accommodation policies and legal requirements.
Are students on leave from the University required to be vaccinated?: No, although we encourage all students to be vaccinated, regardless of their enrollment status. Students on leave from the University for the entire fall 2021 semester are not required to be vaccinated, but they must receive, and provide proof of having received, an FDA or WHO authorized COVID-19 vaccine if they plan to return for the spring 2022 semester.
Would students spending the fall semester abroad or in absentia and not on campus need to be vaccinated?: No, although we encourage all students to be vaccinated, regardless of their enrollment status. Students abroad or in absentia for the entire fall 2021 semester are not required to be vaccinated, but they must receive, and provide proof of having received, an FDA or WHO authorized COVID-19 vaccine if they plan to return for the spring 2022 semester.