College of Medicine Pandemic Response highlights COVID-19 vaccinations, boosters
College of Medicine leaders updated faculty, staff and students on Oct. 22 about COVID-19 vaccinations.
This Week’s Updates:
Update on Vaccination Mandate at University Park
Last week, Penn State announced all employees at University Park only would be required to receive the COVID vaccine. This has now been extended to include six other Penn State campuses, including Altoona, Behrend, Brandywine, DuBois, Fayette and Harrisburg. The College of Medicine is currently continuing to assess with legal counsel and others how this federal mandate may apply to our college.
At this time, we do not have anything further to share, but we will communicate more as soon as more information becomes available. Importantly, while the University does not currently require vaccinations for everyone, Penn State is not impartial when it comes to getting vaccinated. The University’s stance is that everyone who can get a vaccine should do so as soon as possible to attain high vaccination rates on all Penn State campuses.
Start Uploading Proof of Vaccination in Two Locations
Salesforce Health Cloud – Load Vaccination Status for Penn State University
Faculty and staff who have not yet shared proof of their vaccination may upload their proof of vaccination into the University’s Salesforce Health Cloud. Although it is not required, students on wage payroll or graduate assistantships who have not done so are asked to upload their proof of vaccination through myUHS. Instructions are available on the University Health Services (UHS) website.
Accepted forms of proof of vaccination include a digital copy, such as a digital photograph, scanned image or PDF, of the following:
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- A copy of the record of immunization from a health care provider or pharmacy
- A copy of the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- A copy of medical records documenting the vaccination
- A copy of immunization records from a public health or state immunization information system
- A copy of any other official documentation verifying vaccination with information on the vaccine name, date(s) of administration, and the name of health care professional or clinic site administering vaccine
Individuals who were vaccinated in Pennsylvania and have misplaced their vaccination card can visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health website for information on how to obtain vaccine evidence. Individuals who were vaccinated in another state and need vaccine verification information can call the local vaccine provider who administered the vaccine or contact the state health department.
Individuals with vaccine records from locations other than the United States will need to submit official vaccination documentation of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency-use-authorization-approved vaccines in the United States or international vaccines that are emergency-use-listing-approved by the World Health Organization. Documentation needs to include all dates and specifics for each COVID-19 vaccine dose. All records must be in English.
Visit the College of Medicine’s Coronavirus Information website or the University’s Coronavirus Information website for the most up-to-date information on the pandemic and the College and University’s mitigation efforts.
Latest News on Booster Shots
In an Oct. 21 press release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated it is now recommending the booster shots authorized by the FDA. The day before, on Oct. 20, the FDA expanded its authorization of booster doses—having already authorized Pfizer booster shots—to include everyone who received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as well as high-risk or high-exposure groups that received the Moderna vaccine.
For those who received a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot six months after completion of the primary series:
- 65 years of age and older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying conditions
- Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
A single booster dose of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine may be administered at least two months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older.
Penn State Health is encouraging those who meet current eligibility criteria for booster shots or third doses to register and schedule online at vaccine-scheduler.pennstatehealth.org or by calling a central scheduling number: 1-844-774-8883. You may also visit vaccine.gov to find other locations offering the vaccine.
Faculty Work Adjustments for Spring Semester 2022
Guidance has been updated and released to inform faculty and instructors of on-campus work expectations and the work adjustment process for spring 2022.
- Find out more about the work adjustment process and criteria.
- File to extend an approved fall 2021 work adjustment to spring 2022.
- Request a work adjustment for spring 2022.
The deadline to apply for a spring semester work adjustment is Friday, Oct. 29.
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