Two of the 16 community colleges in Maryland require COVID-19 vaccines for students and faculty.

College of Southern Maryland and Montgomery College require that all faculty and students be vaccinated in order to attend in-person classes or work on campus.

AACC and Prince George’s Community College require proof of vaccination or a negative test result submitted weekly.

Most of the colleges require students in some health fields to be vaccinated.

Montgomery College also requires boosters for college employees.

In a memo to employees, Montgomery College Interim President Charlene M. Dukes said employees are required to “get a booster shot as soon as possible.”

However, most community colleges do not require vaccinations to attend in person classes.

These colleges require mask use and encourage vaccinations.

In a letter from the interim  president of Frederick Community College on Feb. 7, Thomas H.Powell strongly advocated for vaccinations but stopped short of requiring them of students and employees.

“I encourage all faculty, staff and students to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” Powell said. “The data appears to be very clear. The best protection against COVID-19 and its variants is the vaccine.”

Of the colleges that encourage vaccinations, some of them are considering making them a requirement.

In a student update, Baltimore City Community College President Debra L. McCurdy said the school is one of them.

“We are reviewing a vaccine requirement for faculty, staff and students,” McCurdy said.