Logan Reed
Most colleges require students to receive a handful of vaccinations before attending classes. Harvard University is no exception to this, and students are responsible for ensuring they remain compliant with the University's immunization requirements. While the University does not require employees to submit COVID-19 vaccine documentation, students must provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to attend indoor athletic events. Additionally, Harvard University Health Services recommends that students receive their immunizations before arriving at Harvard, as many health insurance plans cover the costs of immunizations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is vaccination required to attend Harvard? | Yes, Harvard requires students to have received a handful of vaccinations prior to attending class. |
| Which vaccines are required? | TDaP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis), Flu, HPV, Chickenpox, MMR, MenB (Meningitis), IPV (Polio), COVID-19 |
| Are there any exemptions? | Students seeking a medical or religious exemption for a required vaccine should complete the Student Vaccine Exemption Form and provide the required documentation in English. |
| Are there any consequences for non-compliance? | Non-compliance with the flu vaccine requirement will impact a student's ability to enroll for spring 2026 courses. |
| Are there any costs associated with the vaccinations? | Students who receive their immunizations at Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) may be billed for the cost of the immunization. |
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What You'll Learn
Harvard's Covid-19 vaccine mandate
As of October 2021, Harvard University had a Covid-19 vaccine mandate in place for indoor athletic events. Attendees had to present proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test. This policy applied to non-university affiliates, such as family members, local fans, and members of the media. University affiliates only needed to present their ID cards for entry.
Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) also has various other immunization requirements. Students must ensure they remain compliant with the University's immunization requirements by checking the HUHS Patient Portal and reading all communications from HUHS. Students seeking a medical or religious exemption for a required vaccine should complete the Student Vaccine Exemption Form and provide the necessary documentation in English.
Harvard University recommends that students receive their immunizations before arriving at Harvard, as many health insurance plans cover the costs of immunizations. Students unable to receive immunizations before arriving on campus must arrange for immunizations in the local area. If students receive their immunizations at HUHS, they may be billed for the cost of the immunization.
In addition to the Covid-19 vaccine mandate, Harvard University also recommends the TDaP vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). This vaccine is particularly important for students living in close quarters, such as dormitories, as pertussis is highly contagious and can spread easily during the winter months in the northern United States.
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Harvard's mask mandate
Harvard University, like most colleges, requires students to have received several vaccinations before attending classes. The TDaP vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), is a common requirement for colleges in New England and throughout the northern United States.
In addition to vaccination requirements, Harvard previously implemented a strict indoor mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic. This mandate was lifted in March 2022, despite a surge in COVID-19 cases among undergraduates, as the case numbers in the Greater Boston area were dropping. The University announced that starting March 14, face coverings would no longer be required in most indoor spaces. However, masks would still be mandated in healthcare settings, on public transport, and at indoor gatherings exceeding 250 people.
Harvard's decision to lift the indoor mask mandate aligned with the lifting of state and city restrictions in Massachusetts and Cambridge, respectively. The University emphasized that individuals should not feel pressured to stop wearing masks, and that no one should be made to feel uncomfortable for continuing to do so.
While the University-wide mandate was lifted, individual schools and classrooms within Harvard were given the autonomy to continue requiring masks if they chose to do so. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences, for example, had the option to inform students by March 14 if they intended to maintain mask-wearing in their classrooms.
In addition to the mask policy changes, Harvard implemented other measures to manage the COVID-19 situation on campus. These included increased testing cadence for undergraduates, a requirement for negative tests before leaving for spring break, and a temporary ban on non-sponsored social gatherings in indoor residential spaces.
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Harvard's TDaP vaccine requirement
Harvard University requires students to receive a handful of vaccinations before attending classes. The TDaP vaccine, protecting against tetanus (T), diphtheria (D), and pertussis (aP), is one of the common requirements. Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is especially prevalent in the northern United States during winter. The disease can last for up to three months, with severe cases resulting in vomiting or cracked ribs from violent coughing.
Harvard mandates that students receive a TDaP vaccination once every ten years, with only Adacel, Boostrix, or adult acellular pertussis booster vaccines accepted. Vaccinations older than ten years are not valid. Students must provide documentation of their TDaP vaccination, including the date of vaccination, and upload supporting documents to the Harvard Patient Portal.
Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) previously required students to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to campus in Fall 2021. However, as of 2025, HUHS no longer mandates the COVID-19 vaccine but strongly recommends it, along with boosters if eligible. Students with approved exemptions for medical or religious reasons are not required to submit additional information for a new vaccine exemption.
Harvard also requires students aged 16 to 21 to receive the Meningococcal ACWY vaccine, exempting those aged 22 and older. Additionally, students must provide documentation proving immunity to measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, and/or varicella (chickenpox) or receive the necessary immunizations.
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Harvard's recommendation for other vaccines
Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) requires students to receive certain vaccines before they can register for classes. As of March 2024, Harvard no longer requires students to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but it strongly recommends that all members of the Harvard community stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, if eligible. Harvard also recommends wearing high-quality masks in crowded indoor settings and staying at home if unwell. The university will continue to monitor public health data and periodically review its requirements.
Harvard also requires students to receive an annual flu vaccination. Students must obtain the flu vaccine on or after 1 July 2025 to be compliant for the upcoming year. Non-compliance with the flu vaccination requirement will not impact a student's ability to register for summer or fall semester classes but will affect their ability to enrol for spring 2026 courses. Students may receive their flu vaccination from their primary care provider or local pharmacies such as Walgreens and Rite Aid. Harvard also requires students to upload their flu vaccination data to the HUHS Patient Portal as soon as possible.
Harvard also recommends the TDaP vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis is particularly prevalent in New England and throughout the northern United States during the winter. It is highly contagious and can cause severe illness in babies. Harvard also recommends the HPV vaccine for college students up to age 26 to prevent cancer. Additionally, the MMR vaccine is included in the standard schedule of childhood immunizations, but students who haven't received the recommended doses may be at risk of serious infections.
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Harvard's Covid-19 testing policy
Harvard University has implemented various measures to ensure the safety of its community during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the university does not require vaccination, it strongly recommends that community members receive the vaccine when it is available to them. Harvard encourages individuals to seek vaccination at approved locations, including state sites, primary care physicians, and pharmacies. The university also requests that individuals submit a copy of their CDC card to their health services department after being vaccinated.
Harvard Business School (HBS) has its own set of guidelines. HBS requires all community members with a regular on-campus presence to continue COVID-19 testing, regardless of their vaccine status. Additionally, masks are mandatory on campus, both indoors and at gatherings and events, as well as when preparing to enter Harvard buildings and shuttles. If individuals exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, they are instructed to stay home and report their symptoms. In the case of in-person classes, students should attend virtually instead.
Harvard Athletics implemented a policy for indoor athletic events, requiring attendees to present proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. This policy affects Harvard teams, including basketball, fencing, ice hockey, and swimming, among others. Non-compliance results in non-admittance, although ticket exchanges are allowed. University affiliates only need to present their ID cards for entry.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Harvard requires all on-campus students to have a primary series of Covid shots plus the bivalent booster. However, staff are not required to get the booster.
Most colleges require that students have received a handful of vaccinations prior to attending class. The TDaP vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), is a common requirement. Other recommended vaccines include the HPV vaccine, the MenB vaccine to protect against meningitis, the MMR vaccine, and the IPV vaccine to protect against polio.
Yes, if you are allergic to the vaccine or have a medical reason you cannot get it, you will be exempt from the requirement.
