Rutgers University Requiring Students To Be Vaccinated For Fall Semester

Students returning to campus for the fall semester at Rutgers University must be vaccinated, according to a statement released by the school on Thursday.

"A safer Rutgers community supports a safer New Jersey for our families, our friends, and our neighbors across the state," the Office of the President noted.

Students must show proof of vaccination.

All three vaccines — Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson — are acceptable, though students 18 years of age or under will most likely receive the Pfizer vaccine. That one's been approved for those as young as 16 by the FDA.

Students may request an exemption based on medical or religious reasons. Any students enrolled in online-only programs, including Continuing Education, don't need to be vaccinated.

As CBS New York reports, Rutgers is one of the first universities in the region to have such a vaccine requirement.

"We're looking to build the safest campus in America," Antonio Calcado, the university's executive vice president, told CBS New York.

"We wanna give our students, in a safe manner, back their college experience," Calcado continued. "We do expect there will be people who do not agree with this decision, and we'll deal with that."

According to the CDC, more than 19% of adults in New Jersey are fully vaccinated.

First published on March 26, 2021 / 4:48 AM

© 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.