University of Tartu asks all students and staff to get vaccinated

We'd like to start teaching and studies in the autumn as normally as possible and meet face to face in class, and therefore it is important that as many of our new and returning students and university staff as possible are vaccinated. The nearest vaccination locations can be found on the website vaktsineeri.ee. If you are in Tartu, you can get vaccine at Tartu vaccination centre without advance registration.

According to Kristjan Vassil, Vice Rector for Research of the University of Tartu, vaccination is the most effective way to combat Covid-19. “The number of vaccinated people in Estonia is still too small. However, every person can make their contribution,” Vassil said.

The recent survey on Covid-19 conducted by the Government Office revealed that two thirds of the Estonian population are in favour of vaccination. Even so, Vassil is concerned by the proportion of people who are hesitant: one person in five in the total population and as many as one person in three among those aged 15–24 have not decided whether to get the vaccine or face the third wave without vaccination. “Dear students, dear colleagues! I sincerely hope that you will not only get vaccinated but, by setting an example, encourage and persuade the hesitant ones to get the injection,” said Vassil.

The University of Tartu will hold the opening ceremony of the academic year on Monday, 30 August. Until then, the university is keeping an eye on the situation in the country. We will give further guidelines about the organisation of studies in the autumn at the end of August, before the beginning of the new academic year. Regardless of the spread of the virus, students will have the possibility to listen to lectures for one hundred and more participants online, if the specific course allows it.

We look forward to welcoming international students to Tartu at the earliest opportunity. However, if travel restrictions or self-isolation rules apply, we are prepared to offer distance learning opportunities in most programmes until 1 October. International students and staff from third countries are required to present a negative coronavirus test on arrival in Estonia. All international students can also get a vaccine.

Hand sanitisers are still available in all academic buildings of the university. We also ask everyone to follow the recommendations for physical distancing to control the spread of the virus.

Further information: Kristjan Vassil, Vice Rector for Research, University of Tartu, +372 737 5611, kristjan.vassil@ut.ee