What students need to know about VCU’s vaccine requirement

A VCU student receives a COVID-19 vaccine — VCU students must report their vaccination to University Student Health Services by July 15. (Kevin Morley, University Marketing)

July 13, 2021

What students need to know about VCU’s vaccine requirement

July 15 is the deadline to provide your COVID-19 vaccine documentation or submit an exemption request to University Student Health Services.

Virginia Commonwealth University is requiring students taking classes this fall to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and students must report their vaccination to University Student Health Services no later than July 15. Here are 10 things you need to know about the requirement:

1. It applies to all students.

All students who live, learn, work or will be on campus for any reason are required to comply with VCU’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement by uploading their vaccine information. The requirement also applies to students enrolled in virtual classes, unless the degree program is one of VCU’s entirely online degree programs.

2. The deadline is this week.

Thursday, July 15, is the deadline to report vaccine documentation or submit an exemption request to University Student Health Services.

3. There are exemptions.

There are two ways to be compliant with VCU’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement: receive and report your vaccination or request and receive an approved religious or medical exemption.

4. Have an exemption? You must comply with alternative public health measures.

Students with approved exemptions will be required to comply with alternative public health measures such as masking, completing daily health checks, routine surveillance testing and quarantine procedures.

5. If you don’t provide documentation or apply for an exemption, you will receive a registration hold on your record.

Students who do not report their vaccine documentation or submit an exemption request will receive a registration hold and will not be able to adjust existing course schedules (or enroll if not yet enrolled) until they report their vaccine or qualify for an exemption. These students also will be required to comply with the alternative public health measures for individuals who are not vaccinated.

VCU employees: Deadline to report your COVID-19 vaccine is July 15

While VCU is not requiring employees to be vaccinated, the university is requiring employees to complete the COVID-19 vaccine survey by July 15. (Note: This is for VCU employees only and not for VCU Health System employees.) VCU employees who have not already completed the survey are required to complete it by either submitting vaccine documentation or alternatively indicating that they are in the process of being vaccinated, do or do not plan to be vaccinated, or prefer not to answer.

Employees who report their vaccination are exempt from masking, daily health checks, surveillance testing and quarantine requirements. Employees who choose not to be vaccinated, as well as employees who are vaccinated but do not report their vaccination to VCU, must follow public health measures for their health and for the health of the university community. For details, visit together.vcu.edu.

6. Half-vaccinated? Let VCU know.

If you’ve had your first dose of one of the two mRNA vaccines but don’t plan to get your second dose until after the July 15 deadline, go ahead and upload documentation of the first dose now and note the date of your second dose appointment. Once you receive your second dose, upload that documentation as soon as possible. You will need to follow the public health measures required of VCU community members who are not vaccinated until the requirement is met.

7. Abroad? Here’s some additional guidance.

International students or students living abroad should refer to the World Health Organization for additional COVID-19 vaccines that meet VCU’s requirement. VCU’s Global Education Office has put together some additional guidance for international students and scholars.

8. Your health information is safe.

Like all required vaccines for students, only authorized personnel can access vaccine records reported to the university. Student Health Services has a team responsible for verifying COVID-19 vaccine documentation for students and shares vaccination or exemption records with authorized personnel for the purpose of managing public health measures. Student Health Services may also access this information if an individual reports COVID-19 symptoms, or if they are identified as a close contact of a confirmed positive case. Any record of the provision of health services, however, remains confidential, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

9. Vaccinated? Entry Pass is all green.

If you are vaccinated, your Entry Pass will show a green check. If you have an exemption, Entry Pass will show a green check once you complete the necessary public health measures such as daily health checks and testing.

10. If you are vaccinated, you may continue public health measures.

VCU community members who are vaccinated may continue practicing public health measures, such as wearing masks, if they wish to do so.

Need more information about vaccine requirements or public health measures? Visit together.vcu.edu.

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