COVID 19 Vaccinations & Boosters

Message from Rutgers University on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 | Subject: Significant Changes Related to COVID-19

Rutgers Community Members,

I am writing to you today to inform you of important changes to how we will start the new semester, including the temporary use of remote instruction where possible, critical new vaccine requirements, and other important updates to our operating status. These important changes will affect you and every member of the university community.

It is essential that every member of the Rutgers community be familiar with this information.

The data and the science surrounding the surge in COVID-19 cases, and the dramatic spread of the Omicron variant, require that we adapt to the evolving situation without sacrificing our goal of returning to a campus experience that is robust, rewarding, and safe. To do so, we are implementing appropriate contingency plans that rely on today’s best available information and expertise so that we may continue to manage the impact of this virus at the university.

Rutgers Remains Open; Return to the Office Is Now January 31, 2022

The university, all clinics, libraries, and research operations continue to remain open. However, the previously announced pause of the in-person return to campus for employees has been extended through Sunday, January 30, 2022. Vice presidents, deans, and directors are asked to assess their operations and to encourage all employees who can telecommute to please do so in accordance with the clarification of the Telecommuting Policy relaxation described in Senior Vice President for Human Resources Vivian Fernández’s December 3, 2021, email. In-person schedules for employees are expected to resume on Monday, January 31, 2022.

Employees typically deemed essential should continue to report as currently scheduled unless notified otherwise by their supervisors.

Employee Vaccination and Booster Requirement

The university continues to require all employees to be vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious exemption. These complete records must be uploaded to the Rutgers Vaccination Portal by January 4, 2022.

In addition, all employees, except those with previously approved medical or religious exemptions, will be required to receive a vaccine booster and upload proof of same. A follow-up email on this topic will be sent later this week to all employees. More information on scheduling a vaccine booster is available here.

Student Vaccine Booster Requirement

We are now requiring that all vaccinated students obtain a booster vaccination as soon as eligible. Eligibility for a booster is defined as six months after the last mRNA vaccine or two months after a J&J vaccine. Those students who are now eligible must obtain a vaccine booster by January 31, 2022, and proof of the booster must be uploaded to the vaccine portal by that date. Students residing on campus are strongly encouraged to upload their status by January 15, 2022. More information on scheduling a booster at the university can be found here. Students with approved medical or religious exemptions are excused from the booster requirement.

Spring Semester

Where possible, in-person classes will temporarily convert to remote classes through Sunday, January 30, 2022. In-person classes and associated services will resume on Monday, January 31, 2022. Deans and chairs will work with their respective chancellor offices to assure an orderly transition and communicate their plans directly with students.

Return to Housing

The return to housing has been moved from January 16 and 17 to January 29 and 30. Please note that students will not have access to residence halls until January 29, 2022. This schedule modification does not apply to full-year, RBHS, and international student contracts, which will remain in place and unchanged. Students with extenuating circumstances should reach out to their respective campus Residence Life office for potential accommodations. Information on any financial credits or offsets will be forthcoming. Students returning to housing must have received a booster, when eligible, and are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their arrival. At-home COVID-19 tests may be accessed for free here or at local county sites here.

Dining

Dining facilities will remain open for to-go service only. Normal operating service will commence on Monday, January 31, 2022.

Student Quarantine and Isolation

Students in on-campus housing who test positive or have a confirmed exposure are strongly encouraged and—if the university deems it necessary—may be required to quarantine or isolate at home during a quarantine period.

Employee Quarantine and Isolation

In accordance with the revised CDC guidelines, employees diagnosed with COVID-19 should isolate for five days. Asymptomatic employees or employees whose symptoms are resolving, may return to work, fully masked, following the isolation period.

The CDC recommends that employees with a suspected close contact or exposure who are more than six months from their second mRNA dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) and are not yet boosted should quarantine for five days followed by continued face covering. Individuals who have received their booster shots do not need to quarantine following an exposure.

These guidelines are subject to change based on CDC and NJDOH guidelines.

Events

We currently anticipate that in-person events will resume on Monday, January 31, 2022. At that time, all event attendees will be required to show proof of full vaccination (two mRNA doses or the single J&J) or a COVID-19 negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event and must remain compliant with the published COVID-19 protocols.

Athletic Events

Proof of full vaccination (two mRNA doses or the single J&J) or a COVID-19 negative PCR test within 72 hours is required by all those attending athletics events. Face coverings are required at all times and concession sales are now limited to water and soft drinks only.

Testing

Employees and students who are residents of the State of New Jersey can receive free at-home testing through the state. Information is available at https://learn.vaulthealth.com/nj/ or by checking with their local county public health offices regarding available free testing sites. Similar programs are available to employees who reside in states other than New Jersey. Please check with your state and/or local health agencies for further information.

Beginning immediately, employees whose presence on campus is required may access free weekly testing at the university through January 31, 2022. Information is available here.

On-Campus Protocols and Safety Tips

Established procedures for on-campus activities will continue.

Libraries and computer labs will remain open to RUID card holders. The libraries will provide contactless and remote services until January 31, 2022. Hours of operation, determined at the campus level, may vary.
Recreation, student, and campus centers are limited to persons with RUID cards.
Use of face coverings while in indoor settings is mandatory, unless seated alone in an enclosed office or at a designated work station.
Self-screening using the My Campus Pass is still required.
Using common sense and doing your part of our shared responsibilities continues to be important.

Information regarding university protocols and other essential information can be found in the Guide to Returning to Rutgers.

The health and safety of our community remains our top priority. Protocols will change as we consult with public health agencies and assess data, including the number of positive cases in New Jersey, COVID-19 hospitalizations, state and regional hospital capacity, and the severity of the dominant variant. Please continue to look for updates at https://coronavirus.rutgers.edu.

Wishing you a very happy and healthy new year and asking you to please remain vigilant and safe.

Antonio M. Calcado
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
antonio.calcado@rutgers.edu | 848.445.2474

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COVID-19 Vaccination and the Winter and Spring 2022 Terms | Published Monday, Nov. 8, 2021

Click here for full message: https://coronavirus.rutgers.edu/students-parents/

Deadlines, Details and Uploading COVID 19 Vaccination Documentation (updated on November 8, 2021):

All Rutgers students are required under University Policy 10.3.14 to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have received a medical or religious exemption approved in writing by Rutgers’ Waiver Review Committee or are exempt from the Policy for any of the other reasons listed in the Policy.
For students subject to University Policy 10.3.14 who have been accepted for the upcoming Winter or Spring semester(s), evidence of immunization must be uploaded to the Rutgers Student Immunization portal as soon as the vaccination series is completed and no later than December 1, 2021. Information on the exemption request process is outlined below.
Students who wish to request a medical or religious exemption must submit their request, via Rutgers Student Immunization portal, by December 1, 2021.
As of January 4, 2022, all vaccinated students must obtain a booster vaccination as soon as eligible. Eligibility for a booster is defined as six months after the last mRNA vaccine or two months after a J&J vaccine. Those students who are now eligible must obtain a vaccine booster by January 31, 2022, and proof of the booster must be uploaded to the vaccine portal by that date. Students residing on campus are strongly encouraged to upload their status by January 15, 2022. Students with approved medical or religious exemptions are excused from the booster requirement.
Additional information regarding the vaccination requirement can be found on the university’s COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.
Vaccinations, including booster, are required for students to live in university housing. Students will not be permitted to move into university housing if they do not upload their COVID 19 vaccination card. Students living in housing must receive a booster, when eligible, and are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their arrival. At-home COVID-19 tests may be accessed for free here or at local county sites. If you have questions about housing for Spring 2022, please email the Office of Housing & Residence Life.
Who can I speak to at Rutgers Newark about the COVID vaccination? Rutgers-Newark students can email student-wellness@newark.rutgers.edu

How to Upload Proof of 2nd Vaccine Dose & Booster (Please make sure to complete Step #10)

Spring 2022 Information (updated January 4, 2021):

Students admitted and registered for Spring 2022 are required under Policy 10.3.14 to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have received a medical or religious exemption approved in writing by Rutgers’ Waiver Review Committee or are exempt from the Policy for any of the other reasons listed in the Policy.
All vaccinated students must obtain a booster vaccination as soon as eligible. Eligibility for a booster is defined as six months after the last mRNA vaccine or two months after a J&J vaccine. Those students who are now eligible must obtain a vaccine booster by January 31, 2022, and proof of the booster must be uploaded to the vaccine portal by that date. Students residing on campus are strongly encouraged to upload their status by January 15, 2022. Students with approved medical or religious exemptions are excused from the booster requirement.
Students who accept admission to Rutgers on or after December 1, 2021 must upload evidence of immunization to the Rutgers Student Immunization portal as soon as the vaccination series is completed and no later than 7 calendar days after their acceptance date.
Students accepted on or after December 1, 2021 who wish to request a medical or religious exemption must submit their request, via Rutgers' Student Immunization portal, no later than 7 calendar days after their acceptance date. Information on the exemption request process is outlined below.
Students (new and returning) who are not compliant with the University Policy 10.3.14 will not be permitted to register for Spring 2022 courses. Please note it can take approximately 24 hours for the hold to be removed once vaccine records are submitted.
Students who have chosen to register and/or create a Spring 2022 class schedule comprised of a collection of online classes must comply with University Policy 10.3.14. If you have not applied to, been admitted into and enrolled in a fully online degree-granting program you will need to upload the COVID-19 vaccination card to the Rutgers Student Immunization portal (NetID and password are required).
For students who are not vaccinated, a fully-remote virtual option will only be available for those who applied to, been admitted into and enrolled in a fully online degree-granting program. At Rutgers University-Newark for Spring 2022, a small number of online degree-granting programs exist and are ONLY offered at the graduate level.
For Spring 2022, please consult with your academic advisor or program coordinator to confirm your on-campus start date.
After student uploads proof of vaccination to the Rutgers Student Immunization portal, it may take 24 business hours or longer. All uploads of COVID 19 vaccination cards will need to verified before students have access to register.

Re-enrollment:

Students re-enrolling for Spring 2022 are required under Policy 10.3.14 to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have received a medical or religious exemption approved in writing by Rutgers’ Waiver Review Committee or are exempt from the Policy for any of the other reasons listed in the Policy. Learn more by visiting the myRUN COVID 19 Vaccination page.

Students who are approved to re-enroll at Rutgers on or after December 1, 2021 must upload evidence of immunization to the Rutgers Student Immunization portal as soon as the vaccination series is completed and no later than 7 calendar days after their acceptance date.
All vaccinated students must obtain a booster vaccination as soon as eligible. Eligibility for a booster is defined as six months after the last mRNA vaccine or two months after a J&J vaccine. Those students who are now eligible must obtain a vaccine booster by January 31, 2022, and proof of the booster must be uploaded to the vaccine portal by that date. Students with approved medical or religious exemptions are excused from the booster requirement.
Students who are approved to re-enroll on or after December 1, 2021 who wish to request a medical or religious exemption must submit their request, via Rutgers' Student Immunization portal, no later than 7 calendar days after their acceptance date. Information on the exemption request process is outlined below.
Students (new and returning) who are not compliant with the University Policy 10.3.14 will not be permitted to register for Spring 2022 courses. Please note it can take approximately 24 hours for the hold to be removed once vaccine records are submitted.

Important Dates:

December 1, 2021: upload your vaccination card or your exemption request to the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal
January 31, 2022: All vaccinated students obtain a booster vaccination as soon as eligible. Eligibility for a booster is defined as six months after the last mRNA vaccine or two months after a J&J vaccine. Those students who are now eligible must obtain a vaccine booster by January 31, 2022, and proof of the booster must be uploaded to the vaccine portal by that date.

How to Upload Proof of 2nd Vaccine Dose (Please make sure to complete Step #10)

Exemptions:

You may request an exemption from having to submit proof of vaccination for medical or religious reasons only.
Exemption requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. They are NOT automatically granted.
The exemption request form is available to you by accessing the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal (NetID and password are required).
Students submitting an exemption request should continue to check the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal for regular updates on the status of the exemption request.
Those granted exemptions from COVID-19 immunizations will be directed to the appropriate university department to develop an implementation plan which may include applying for feasible and applicable accommodations.
Students granted exemptions will not be able to live in on-campus housing during the COVID-19 health emergency.
I requested a waiver or exemption and haven’t heard back, who can I speak to? You can email the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@newark.rutgers.edu or call 973-353-5063

How to Upload your COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Request Form

Rutgers University Vaccination and Booster Clinics:

You can now get your COVID 19 vaccination and Booster at Rutgers University
You can schedule an appointment on our vaccine portal website. To schedule the appointment, you will need a NetID and password.
Vaccinations are free.
Newark Location: Ackerson Hall, Room 101 (Dean's Lounge), 180 University Avenue, Newark (M-F 9am-2:30pm)
Camden Location: Campus Center, Lower Level, South ABC, 326 Penn St., Camden
Piscataway Location: Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway

NJ Vaccination Sites:

You can also schedule a COVID 19 vaccination appointment in your town.
Visit the New Jersey vaccine appointment finder as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.

Vaccination sites across the U.S.:

If you live outside of New Jersey, you can check your state’s information or using this national site to find a vaccine location near you.

International Students:

For international students outside of the US who cannot receive a US FDA EUA-authorized vaccine, and who have been vaccinated in their home country, Rutgers will accept proof of vaccination by a World Health Organization (WHO) authorized. The relevant vaccination records must be uploaded to the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal
Rutgers will also continue to offer US FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines to international students upon arrival at no cost, as previously noted, for those that have not yet been vaccinated with an US FDA-authorized vaccine. International students (in F-1 and J-1 visa status) may enter the country no more than 30 days prior to the start of the spring term. To ensure that students who need to be vaccinated upon arrival are able to do so and to allow for necessary vaccination wait times and quarantine, the university is in the process of developing interim housing space for the Spring semester.
International students can keep updated by visiting COVID Related International Student FAQ page and through the Rutgers Global Alerts

How to upload COVID 19 Vaccination/Booster Card (Continuing Students):

Click on the Rutgers Student Immunization portal
NetID and password are required to enter the site.
Select the “upload file” at the top right of the page and upload the scanned image of your COVID 19 card.
At the bottom of the page, choose from the drop-down “Immunization Record (Additional Uploads)"
If you have issues gaining access to this site, please e-mail vaccine@echo.rutgers.edu
After student uploads proof of vaccination to the Rutgers Student Immunization portal, it may take 24 business hours or longer. All uploads of COVID 19 vaccination cards will need to verified before students have access to register.

How to Upload COVID-19 Vaccination Documentation

How to upload COVID 19 Vaccination Card/Booster and other immunization documents (New Students):

Click on the Rutgers Student Immunization portal
NetID and password are required to enter the site.
Follow steps 1 through 4
Select your school and enter all of your immunization information along with your COVID-19 vaccine information.
If you have issues gaining access to this site, please e-mail vaccine@echo.rutgers.edu
After student uploads proof of vaccination to the Rutgers Student Immunization portal, it may take 24 business hours or longer. All uploads of COVID 19 vaccination cards will need to verified before students have access to register.

Who can I contact to see if my COVID vaccination card has been uploaded? You can call the hotline at 848-445-3033 or email covidvax411@rbhs.rutgers.edu

myRutgers Portal Language on Updated COVID 19 Policy:

The following message will pop up for all Rutgers students when logging into the myRutgers Portal.

Please note, all Rutgers students are required under Policy 10.3.14 to be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have received a medical or religious exemption approved in writing by Rutgers’ Waiver Review Committee or are exempt from the Policy for any of the other reasons listed in the Policy. For students subject to Policy 10.3.14 who have been accepted for the upcoming Winter or Spring semester(s), evidence of immunization must be uploaded to the Rutgers Immunization Portal as soon as the vaccination series is completed and no later than December 1, 2021. Students who wish to request a medical or religious exemption must submit their request, via Rutgers’ Immunization Portal, by December 1, 2021.

Students accepted on or after December 1, 2021 must upload evidence of immunization to the Rutgers Immunization Portal as soon as the vaccination series is completed and no later 7 calendar days after their acceptance date. Students accepted on or after December 1, 2021 who wish to request a medical or religious exemption must submit their request, via Rutgers’ Immunization Portal, no later than 7 calendar days after their acceptance date.

Students who are not compliant with Policy 10.3.14 will not be permitted to register for Winter or Spring courses.

If you are already compliant with the vaccine mandate, no additional action is needed.

Rutgers COVID-19 immunization policy:

Policy 10.3.14 COVID-19 Immunization Record Requirement for Students

Questions for Rutgers University-Newark students:

Students can email student-wellness@newark.rutgers.edu