Many colleges are now announcing decisions to require COVID-19 vaccination for students and staff for the 2021-22 school year. As colleges announce these decisions, The Scholarship Foundation encourages students to seek vaccination as soon as possible, so they will be prepared in sufficient time to attend school in the fall.
Here are steps to take to research and decide for yourself:
- Research Existing Requirements: Schools that have already announced a vaccination plan for the 2021-22 have likely published that requirement. Search your school’s website to see if they have already publicly stated a requirement. A college may require or may strongly recommend vaccination. Whether or not your school requires vaccination, electing to do so is an important way of keeping yourself and others healthy.
- Understand Exemptions: Some students may have medical or religious reasons that exempt them from their college’s requirement. Because colleges already require students to provide proof of other vaccinations, they may already have policies and procedures outlining how to request an exemption for this vaccine.
- Learn About Vaccinations: Currently, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized three vaccinations for emergency use against COVID-19. The FDA has provided fact sheets for each of the vaccines, which are linked here:
- Make an Appointment: Because both Pfizer and Moderna require two shots to administer the vaccine in full, and there is a window of time between the two doses, it is important that students requiring vaccination for the fall semester allow sufficient time for both doses to be received before the fall semester begins. Also, be aware that supply availability may vary and could impact scheduling appointments. Here are some resources on finding and scheduling vaccination appointments:
As always, Student Advisors are here to help Scholarship Foundation students navigate these processes and understand policies and the implications. Students needing help confirming their college’s vaccination requirements, reviewing exemptions, accessing additional vaccination information, and/or scheduling an appointment should contact their Student Advisor.
