Health Requirements & Immunization

• Prior to your enrollment, you must meet the health and immunization requirements mandated by New Jersey State law and university policies. The requirements are designed to protect your health, and the health of others including fellow students, staff, and clinical patients.
• All Rutgers students (new, returning and re-enrolling) are required under University Policy 10.3.13 to provide proof of health records and certain immunization.
• You can find additional information regarding the vaccination requirements on the university’s Immunization Requirement webpage.
• You can also find frequently asked questions (FAQs) and information on the university’s Immunization Requirement webpage.
• You are encouraged to regularly review the information on the university’s Immunization Requirement webpage as information may change or be updated.
• University immunization and COVID deadlines can be found on the university’s Immunization Requirement webpage.

COVID 19 Vaccination, Exepmtion Request & Documentation Information:

Overview

• All Rutgers students (new, returning and re-enrolling) 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. Clinical students must also submit documentation of booster dose, when eligible.
• The CDC currently recommends the updated 2023-2024 bivalent dose to all over the age of 6 months, regardless of past vaccination. One dose of this updated vaccine satisfies the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
• Third party clinical, fieldwork, or experiential learning sites may still require that students be fully vaccinated to participate in clinical placements or experiential learning activities at those sites. If you have questions, please contact your specific program.
• For assistance, students can email Rutgers University-Newark Student Health Services or email vax411@rbhs.rutgers.edu

The table below details what is required with respect to COVID-19 vaccination during fall 2023. This is subject to change with new university, local, state, or federal guidance.

1 Primary COVID-19 series may consist of monovalent Moderna, Pfizer, JJ, Novavax, WHO-approved vaccines. Monovalent Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are no longer available in the US (as of 4.18.23)
2 The updated (bivalent) Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been available since September 2022 (and considered booster doses until April 2023). In April 2023, they became the only available mRNA vaccines in the U.S. and may be used for primary vaccination or as a booster.

Compliance with University Policy

• Students are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 OR have an approved medical or religious exemption; this status will not show on the myRutgers dashboard. Please look for your overall status in the Rutgers Student Immunization portal, select "Immunizations" from the menu, then select "Print". The displayed immunization record will display your status, as well as any missing requirements necessary for compliance. When done with this section, check the box to mark complete.
• The table above provides details related to COVID 19 vaccinations.

Student Registration & Matriculation into Online Degree Granting Programs

• If you have not applied to, been admitted into and enrolled in a fully online degree-granting program you will need to upload the appropriate documentation with proof of  the COVID-19 vaccination OR an  approved medical or religious exemption into the Rutgers Student Immunization portal (NetID and password are required). At Rutgers University-Newark, there are a small number of online degree-granting programs.
• Students who have chosen to register and/or create winter/spring 2024 class schedule comprised of a collection of online classes must comply with University Policy 10.3.14 and upload documentation of the COVID-19 vaccination OR approved medical or religious exemption into the Rutgers Student Immunization portal.
• The table above provides details related to COVID 19 vaccinations.

Quick Information Points:  

How to Upload COVID 19 Vaccination Card and Immunization Documents:

• 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 related to upload your vaccination card with proof of the the COVID-19 vaccination.  Rutgers Student Immunization Portal. . 
• Beyond uploading the card with proof COVID 19 vaccination to the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal, you will need to enter the dates you received the vaccination(s) into the online form. If the date fields on the online form are left blank, the verification process will be delayed.
• COVID 19 vaccination will not show on the myRutgers dashboard. Please look for your overall status in the Rutgers Student Immunization portal, select "Immunizations" from the menu, then select "Print". The displayed immunization record will display your status, as well as any missing requirements necessary for compliance. When done with this section, check the box to mark complete.
• If you have issues gaining access to this site, please e-mail Rutgers University-Newark Student Health Services.
• After student uploads proof of COVID-19 vaccination to the Rutgers Student Immunization portal, it may take up to five (5) business days. All uploads of COVID-19 vaccination cards will need to be verified before students have access to register.
• For assistance, students can email Rutgers University-Newark Student Health Services or email vax411@rbhs.rutgers.edu

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. All communication related to the exemption request will occur within the immunization portal. Students requesting an exemption are encouraged to check the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal for updates.
• After all documents are uploaded requesting an exemption, the review process will take ten to fifteen (10-15) business days.
• Those granted exemptions from COVID-19 vaccinations will be directed to the appropriate university department to develop an implementation plan which may include applying for feasible and applicable accommodations.
• Students granted medical and religious exemptions will be able to live in on-campus housing beginning fall 2023.
• For assistance, students can email Rutgers University-Newark Student Health Services or email vax411@rbhs.rutgers.edu.

How to Upload your COVID 19 Vaccine Exemption Request Form

International Students:

• For international students outside of the US who cannot receive a US FDA EUA-authorized primary series of the COVID vaccination, and who have been vaccinated in their home country, Rutgers will accept proof of vaccination and as authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO).  The relevant vaccination records must be uploaded to the Rutgers Student Immunization Portal.
• International students are encouraged to keep up-to-date via the Rutgers Global site.