Back on Campus this Fall!

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

• Are all students required to get a vaccine?

  Eastern Connecticut State University is requiring that all students are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by August 9, 2021, in order to participate in the fall 2021 semester (per CSCU Board of Regents policy).

• Why is the university requiring students to be vaccinated?

  Getting vaccinated protects your health, as well as those around you, especially those who are medically compromised and can’t receive the vaccination. Universal vaccinations also will allow the University to return to pre-COVID-19 experiences and eliminate many of the COVID-19 restrictions we’ve had to implement over the past year. We must have a high percentage of our campus vaccinated to allow us to minimize mitigation initiatives (e.g., masking, distancing, quarantining). A dynamic and vibrant campus requires all members of our campus community to feel like they can return safely with as minimal exposure to COVID-19 as possible. Vaccinations are the most effective approach to managing the spread of COVID-19, and especially the new variants that are emerging.

• Are there exemptions from the vaccine requirement?

  Students may request an exemption from this vaccination requirement based on medical or non-medical reasons. Exemptions will be reviewed and decided on a case-by-case basis.

  Non-medical exemption form
  
  Medical exemption form

• For students who want to attend in fall 2021 yet refuse to be vaccinated, what are their options?

  Students who wish to enroll in fall 2021 must either be vaccinated or be granted an exemption from vaccination. Those who do not obtain an exemption and fail to meet the vaccination requirement by the determined deadline will not be permitted on campus.

• Which vaccines will be accepted?

  World Health Organization approved vaccines will be accepted. They are as follows:

  • Johnson & Johnson/Janssen
  • Moderna
  • Pfizer/Bio N Tech
  • AstraZeneca
  • CoViShield
  • Sinopharm

• I already had COVID-19. Do I still need to show proof of vaccination if I know I have antibodies?

  Vaccination is required regardless of previous illness or test results. The University will not accept antibody testing in lieu of proof of vaccination because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates: (1) antibodies from previous COVID-19 infections may not be as long lasting as those from vaccination; (2) antibody testing is not sufficiently reliable to ensure that the presence of antibodies will confer immunity from future infections; and (3) the CDC recommends vaccination to those who were previously infected.

• Will there be a fully remote/virtual option for students who are enrolled in the fall but aren’t vaccinated?

  The University is planning to return to normal, pre-pandemic operations so the vast majority of classes will be in-person, on ground. Most faculty members will not be offering online options to students in their on-ground classes.

• Will I be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing once I am fully vaccinated?

  Final State of Connecticut guidelines for the fall have not yet been released, but the hope is to significantly relax the need for PPE and social distancing requirements for those who have been vaccinated. People who have not received the vaccine will be required to wear a mask, practice social distancing and participate in weekly testing. As more members of our campus community are vaccinated, we can reduce the need for additional precautions.

• Where should students send their vaccination records?

  Students must email their vaccination record as a .pdf file to covidvax@easternct.edu by August 9, 2021.

• Do students need to be vaccinated before moving onto campus?

  Yes. New and returning students are expected to receive all required immunizations, including a COVID-19 vaccine, prior to arriving on campus. Students must submit proof of having received a COVID-19 vaccine before August 9, 2021.

• Will students living off-campus be required to be vaccinated?

  Yes. Eastern is requiring all undergraduate and graduate students to receive and provide proof of having received a COVID-19 vaccine.

  • Medical Exemption requests will be considered and based on supporting documentation. Medical exemption form
  • Non-Medical Exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students who wish to request a nonmedical exemption must do so by completing the Non-medical exemption form

• What happens if I am granted an exemption?

  Students who are granted exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine will be required to continue wearing masks and practicing social distancing and participate in weekly testing. They may also be restricted from attending some in-person events.

• Where can I get a vaccine?

  Using the State of Connecticut vaccine portal, you can search for a free vaccine appointment near you. Appointments are readily available right now.

  View the Connecticut Vaccine Portal to find a FREE vaccine provider near you (ct.gov)

• Worried about the COVID-19 vaccine?

  Rest assured that the vaccine is very safe, and any of the risks are minimal compared to getting the COVID-19 virus.

  View the CDC's safety information

• Why should you get vaccinated?

  The COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Of the hundreds of millions of vaccines administered, only a fraction yielded serious side effects; the risks from contracting COVID-19 significantly outweigh the risk of side effects. Vaccines are effective. All three of the vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and J & J) currently authorized for use in the United States are highly effective against COVID-19 infection – even against the new, more transmissible variants – and are nearly 100 percent effective against hospitalization and death. Vaccines keep you, your family and our community safe. They are not only highly effective in preventing you from getting sick, they also prevent vaccinated people from transmitting the virus, keeping those around us safe. The science is clear: get vaccinated today.