UConn has announced all of its employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The announcement was made today and read in part, "Employees at UConn’s Storrs and regional campuses and UConn Health in Farmington will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 under a policy determined by the University in collaboration with the unions that represent its faculty and staff.”

 University officials say the new requirement is similar to the policy already in place for students who live on campus or who attend in-person classes.

COVID RESOURCES: COVID-19 vaccine resources and case data   

 Employees must show evidence of vaccination by Oct. 15 or request and receive an exemption or deferral, which would require them to be tested weekly.

UConn has about 9,800 full- and part-time employees: about 5,100 at the Storrs and regional campuses like Hartford, Stamford, Avery Point, Waterbury and about 4,700 at UConn Health.

As of now, 96% of incoming residential Storrs students are fully or partially vaccinated, and 92% of incoming Stamford residential students are fully or partially vaccinated. Classes begin Aug. 30.