SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS)- Syracuse University is administering doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on campus. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon sent the university 1,600 doses and students started getting vaccinated at the Barnes Center on Wednesday.
SU sophomore Lukas Gibson, who received his vaccine on campus, said, “[I’m] just super happy that I could get it done as soon as possible.” Gibson preregistered right away and got an appointment on Wednesday.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has a 66% efficacy rate, according to the CDC. Pfizer and Moderna (the two other CDC-approved vaccine doses) have a 95% efficacy rate. Some students say they prefer getting the Pfizer vaccine dose at the State Fairgrounds but other students like Gibson don’t mind the J&J dose.
“I would’ve definitely preferred Pfizer, you know just to have that extra effectiveness, but I still feel pretty safe getting Johnson and Johnson,” Gibson said.
The SU Public Health Team announced on Tuesday announced that vaccinated students are exempt from required pre-entry testing to any stadium events. They will also not be required to quarantine if a close contact tests positive for COVID-19.
New York residents age 16 and older have been eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine since this Tuesday. Whether they are SU students or not, eligible residents can register to get vaccinated at the State Fairgrounds. SU students can sign up to receive the vaccine through the Barnes Center’s patient portal.
SU Chancellor Kent Syverud sent a campus-wide email on Thursday saying SU will require all new and returning students, faculty and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine prior to the Fall 2021 semester. Anyone planning to access campus during the summer must be vaccinated by June 1st, said Chancellor Syverud.
“Medical and religious exemptions will be accommodated, but the expectation is the vast majority of our community will receive a vaccination,” Chancellor Syverud said.
The Fall 2021 semester will begin on August 30th.
