We Are WPI

Massachusetts is administering the COVID-19 vaccine in a phased approach, with different people being eligible at different times. As of April 19, 2021, everyone over age 16 who lives, works, or studies in Massachusetts is eligible to be vaccinated. 

The state’s website provides information on how the public, including member of the WPI community, can obtain a vaccine. We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible at any of the public vaccination sites in Massachusetts.  The best vaccine is the first one you can get.

Vaccine Requirements

Vaccination provides the best protection against COVID-19, and provides the best chance for us to return to the daily activities that are so critical to college life. Our campus vaccination rate will significantly influence our operations for the fall; to get back to unrestricted status, models suggest that vaccination levels of at least 90% are necessary to prevent the continued spread and dire health impact of the virus. 

Students

  • WPI will require that all undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in on-campus classes and/or conducting research in on-campus labs, whether they live on campus or off, be fully vaccinated (two weeks post their last dose) against COVID-19 by August 1, 2021.
  • All students must enter their vaccination information into Medicat as soon as they are fully vaccinated or by August 1, 2021 at the latest. First-year students will be able to input their vaccination status starting June 15.
  • As with our vaccination requirements, there will be a process for students to submit a request for medical or religious exemption via the Student Vaccination Exemption form. 
  • WPI will give support and guidance to our international students who may not have access in their home countries to vaccines approved by the World Health Organization.
  • Students heading to homes outside Massachusetts should check their state’s public health website.

​Employees

  • If you're taking time off this summer, you'll need to remain in compliance with WPI's COVID-19 testing program. Read more about how to stay compliant with vacation time.
  • WPI strongly encourages that all employees get vaccinated.
  • Employees must enter their vaccine information into Workday by June 15, 2021 so we can monitor total vaccination levels on campus. If those numbers show a lower than optimal level of immunization on campus, the university may require vaccination among employees. 
  • Employees with questions or concerns should speak with their own health care provider and can also reference information provided by the CDC and/or the FDA.

Although individual vaccination status will be kept strictly confidential, as with our COVID-19 testing data, WPI will soon begin to post our aggregate vaccination levels on campus on our dashboard so our community can also track our progress in real time.

FAQs at: https://www.wpi.edu/we-are-wpi/frequently-asked-questions#vaccines

Important Dates for Students

In order to meet their August 1 deadline, students will need to be fully vaccinated by the dates below based on the type of vaccine they are receiving:

  • Johnson & Johnson (one dose): July 18
  • Pfizer (two doses, three weeks apart): First dose by June 27; second dose by July 18
  • Moderna (two doses, four weeks apart): First dose by June 20; second dose by July 18

Getting Vaccinated

  • Vaccination is a national priority, and every state is providing free clinics.
  • Anyone over age 16 who lives, works, or studies in Massachusetts can get vaccinated through the state.
  • You can sign up for the state vaccine program or find other sites by zip code. Some sites require appointments and some are open for walk-ins.
  • You also can sign up for a vaccination at certain pharmacies, community health centers, and health care providers in Massachusetts. You can search by zip code for these vaccination locations.
  • Local pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Walmart also have vaccine available; check their websites.
  • The information provided here is specific to vaccinations at WPI and in Massachusetts.  If you have questions regarding the vaccine itself, visit the CDC site.

Read President Leshin’s message to the community about vaccine requirements as we head toward a more robust return to in-person learning, teaching, and working, and check out the related vaccine FAQs.