UConn announced Friday that the Board of Trustees approved a policy change to require students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 starting with the fall 2021 semester.

The school says exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Months ago, following the emergency approval of the vaccine, UConn said it could not force students to take the vaccine because it had been authorized for emergency use only - and therefore was experimental.

In a video released by the school, Dr. David Banach, an epidemiologist from UConn Health, says the vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective.

Officials say around 61% of Storrs residential students have already been vaccinated.

"CSCU is strongly considering a vaccine requirement and is undertaking a review – with input from faculty, staff, and students – to examine the most effective ways to ensure all members of our communities are vaccinated against COVID-19 before stepping on campus for the fall semester," says a spokesman for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system.