The University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford announced a change to its vaccination requirement on Aug. 25, impacting students, faculty, and staff, and held a vaccination clinic on Friday.

Submitted

In response to full FDA approval of at least one COVID vaccination (the Pfizer-BioNTech “Comirnaty” COVID-19 vaccine on Aug. 23), the University of Saint Joseph is changing its vaccination requirements.

All USJ students, staff, and faculty (including part-time and adjunct) who work or take classes in-person at any USJ site must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption. This policy change is intended to promote the health and safety of the USJ community by reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission and to be consistent with federal, state, and local efforts to minimize virus outbreaks.

• Affected employees and students must submit verification of having received an initial dose of the vaccine or an approved medical or religious exemption by Sept. 15, 2021. Verification of full vaccination must be submitted by Oct. 15, 2021. To submit verification, click here. Faculty and staff should submit verification to the HR office directly or email it to Human Resources at [email protected].
• This mandate expands earlier requirements that applied to residential students, student-athletes, student workers, graduate assistants, and coaching and athletic training staff.
• Remote attendance of classes conducted in-person is not an option for unvaccinated students.
• Students and employees who receive an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement will be required to comply with preventative measures and restrictions as deemed necessary by the University.
• Students can find information on applying for an exemption in MyUSJ. https://my.usj.edu/ICS/Student/Student_Life/Health_Services.jnz
• Employees who wish to apply for a religious or medical exemption should contact Deborah Spencer in Human Resources at [email protected] or 860.231.5390.
• While USJ will continueto encourage participation by providing education regarding vaccination, access to the vaccine, and instruction on receiving an approved exemption, failure to comply with the vaccination or exemption requirement will result in loss of privileges and/or sanctions.
• This policy and any attendant procedures and/or rules may be amended as necessary based on factors such as the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance from governmental authorities.

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