Students who have not received a COVID-19 booster will have to quarantine if they are a close contact of someone who is infected.
On Feb. 14, KSC made the decision to align their definition of up-to-date vaccination with the CDC and New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to include the COVID-19 booster. The information, which was sent in an email to students and faculty on Feb. 10, said that in order to be considered up-to-date, those who are eligible must get a booster shot and upload their vaccination records to the online health portal.
Those who are five months beyond their second Moderna or Pfizer dose, or two months beyond the Johnson and Johnson vaccine are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster, the email said.
According to the CDC, individuals who have received two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one J&J dose are still considered “fully vaccinated,” however, in order to be considered “up-to-date” on recommended COVID-19 vaccination, a person would have to get a booster.
COVID-19 Project Manager Colin Burdick told the Equinox that the school has received emails from people who are not happy about their decision to change the definition of up-to-date vaccination.
The Equinox surveyed a random pool of 10 students on campus regarding their thoughts on the school’s decision. Seven out of 10 students said they supported the school’s decision.
“I think it’s smart,” said senior Shannon Parks. “The booster’s been helping a lot. My sister had COVID and because of the booster it wasn’t that bad.”
“It doesn’t really matter to me,” said junior Tyler Dill. “Whatever they think is best for the school I guess.”
Senior Haley Allan said she supports the school’s decision largely in part because she is an education major. “I’m looking at it to protect the kids.”
Senior Alana Lehouillier said she supports the school’s decision, although she can understand others’ disagreement with it.
“I think it is frustrating if you don’t want to get the booster or you had a bad reaction to the vaccine and you would still have to get the booster,” Lehouillier said. “But I think we should look at what the CDC recommendations are and what other schools are doing.”
Senior Victoria Comerford said she supports the school’s decision even though she hasn’t received a booster yet.
“I think they’re doing their best to keep us safe, and what’s been going on the past two years has been really hard for everybody and making tough decisions like that is hard,” Comerford said.
Others were not pleased with the school’s decision.
“I’m not a fan of any vaccination requirements,” said sophomore Callan Thompson.
“Personally I think it’s kind of dumb,” said sophomore Finn Baldwin. “We’ve already had to do a lot of stuff. I got COVID like three weeks ago so I don’t think it really affects me, but if I hadn’t gotten COVID I’d probably be a little pissed.”
Burdick said anyone who can provide documented proof to the Rapid Response Team that they have contracted COVID-19 within 90 days of being identified as a contact is exempt from quarantine.
Junior Erika Vachon said she thinks the quarantine policy should apply to everyone or no one at all. “I don’t think you shouldn’t have to quarantine just because you’ve had the booster.”
Six out of the 10 students surveyed said they had received a COVID-19 booster. Two said they had not, but they plan on getting one.
Associate Professor of Public Health Dr. Jeanelle Boyer previously told The Equinox that people who have received a booster are much less likely to end up in the emergency room, citing the Journal of the American Medical Association which reported the booster is 90% effective at preventing hospitalization, and there is a 66% lower risk of symptomatic infection.
Keene State will be hosting a variety of vaccination clinics throughout the semester for students and staff to receive a booster.
Hunter Oberst can be contacted
at hoberst@kscequinox.com
