The information archived here was provided for the EVMS Community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find the latest guidance at this link.
Vaccination
Last Updated: 05-12-2021
EVMS is receiving allocations of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
At this time, EVMS is only providing vaccines to EVMS employees and students, according to the priority schedule listed below.
Vaccination for employees and students will continue to be voluntary as long as the status of the pandemic continues to improve. Department heads and supervisors should strongly encourage their staff to get vaccinated.
The best way to fight a virus and reduce transmission is through vaccination.
If you decline the vaccine when it is offered to you, you may receive another opportunity to get vaccinated, as supplies become available.
If you receive a COVID-19 vaccine, you must follow all EVMS COVID-19 safety precautions and mandates. Anyone experiencing mild symptoms after receiving the vaccine must continue to follow EVMS protocols. Please see the What Should I Do? section.
Distribution priorities
There may be a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines available at first. We will distribute the vaccine to employees and students based upon their risk level as outlined in the list below.
Most of our clinical departments have received vaccinations through our community partners. As such, our current priority levels for our employees and students include:
- All healthcare providers and students involved in direct patient care not previously vaccinated
- All other clinical personnel
- All EVMS employees and students that are:
- 65 years or older
- 18-64 with underlying medical conditions
- Non-clinical personnel in clinical departments, clinical research personnel and security
- All remaining EVMS employees and students
Last Updated:06-08-2021
EVMS expects all employees and students to get vaccinated as soon as possible. We know that many in the EVMS community are fully vaccinated; however, vaccination of all employees and students is critical to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to return to regular, in-person activities.
On or before June 18, EVMS will announce its procedures for requiring and documenting COVID-19 vaccination by August 1, 2021 for all students participating in in-person instruction and training activities, and for employees, pending FDA approval of the vaccines and maintaining the usual exemptions for medical and religious reasons. Students who are enrolled in online programs and who are not taking any on-campus courses are exempt from this requirement.
EVMS is modifying its masking and social distancing requirements by differentiating between fully vaccinated and unvaccinated/partially vaccinated employees and students. Read these requirements.
Vaccine information
EVMS is receiving allocations of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
If you receive a COVID-19 vaccine, you must follow all safety precautions and mandates. Anyone experiencing mild symptoms after receiving the vaccine must continue to follow EVMS protocols. Please see the What Should I Do? section.
Employees and students will receive the vaccine through the EVMS COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic. Here's what you need to know:
- You will receive an email with scheduling instructions when you are eligible to receive the vaccine.
- You must have an appointment before showing up to a COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
- Set aside 30-60 minutes for your vaccine appointment and arrive on-time.
Employees and students will be provided with information about the vaccine prior to vaccine administration. Please read the information carefully so you are fully informed about what to expect. Learn more about the Pfizer vaccine.
How does the vaccine work?
The vaccine is injected into your arm, just like a flu shot, and requires two doses: an initial dose and then repeat vaccination three weeks later. There is a mandatory 15-minute monitoring period after vaccine administration.
You must receive both doses of the vaccine. Once you receive the first dose, you will be scheduled for your second dose.
The Continuity of Operations Task Force is reminding everyone that, even after vaccinations are widespread, it is absolutely essential that our masking, social distancing and sanitation protocols continue to be followed.
Masking and Social Distancing Requirements
We have modified the masking and social distancing protocols, differentiating between those employees and students who are fully vaccinated and those who are only partially vaccinated or unvaccinated. Vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask in non-clinical settings and social distancing is no longer required.
Masks and use of recommended personal protective equipment are still required in all clinical settings where EVMS staff and students encounter patients. EVMS clinical settings will continue to restrict visitors until further notice. As always, EVMS clinical faculty, residents and students must follow the protocols of their host facility when visiting other organizations.
EVMS has modified its masking and social distancing requirements by differentiating between fully vaccinated and unvaccinated/partially vaccinated employees and students as follows:
Fully Vaccinated Individuals
For the purposes of this guidance, people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson [J&J]/Janssen).
Individuals who have received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that is listed for emergency use by WHO (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., COMIRNATY, Tozinameran), AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., Covishield, Vaxzevria), Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine) do not need any additional doses with an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
Masks and social distancing are not required in non-clinical areas of EVMS, to include:
- Research labs
- Teaching areas (conference rooms, classrooms, lecture halls, study rooms, etc.)
- Administrative work areas (offices, carrels, conference rooms)
- Break rooms (including clinical staff break rooms where patients are not allowed)
Additional information concerning the applicability of these requirements to specific EVMS buildings may be found at the end of this message.
For the fully vaccinated, the implications of these changes are that we can return to in-person meetings, education conferences (Grand Rounds, departmental meetings, etc.) and similar gatherings without masks, restrictions on room capacity or social distancing.
Unvaccinated/Partially Vaccinated Individuals
Masks must be worn and social distancing must be observed at all times, whether inside or outside of buildings, except when alone and in private spaces such as an office.
For those unvaccinated/partially vaccinated, attendance at educational, research or administrative meetings is allowed; however, a mask is required. In addition, individuals should maintain social distance during these activities. Please note: Unvaccinated individuals are at a significantly increased risk for getting serious COVID-19 illness and for spreading COVID-19 to others, including those who are immunocompromised.
During a group gathering, if any individual asks for everyone to remain masked, all individuals in the meeting should remain masked.
Additional Considerations
- Given the intermingling of clinical and non-clinical spaces across the EVMS campus, employees and students should always have a mask with them.
- Classrooms and conference rooms should allow adequate space for unvaccinated individuals to socially distance. Occupancy in these rooms can increase from the COVID-19 social distancing capacity limits.
- The expanded sanitation protocols remain in place.
- Food and drink in settings other than restaurants remain limited to bottles and boxes.
General Guide to Clinical and Non-Clinical Spaces on the EVMS Campus
Fully Vaccinated Individuals (must have proof of vaccination on file with EVMS Occupational Health)
- Masks are not required in teaching, research or administrative areas (conference rooms, classrooms, lecture halls, labs, office suites, break rooms) in:
- Waitzer Hall
- Lester Hall
- Andrews Hall, Floors 1, 4 (admin offices) and 5
- Williams Hall, A & B Wings (Research and Research Administration)
- Lewis Hall (Masks are required in animal holding areas of the vivarium.)
- Hofheimer Hall, Floors 2 and 7 and administrative offices
- Masks are required in all clinical areas (including common areas, elevators and bathrooms) in:
- Hofheimer Hall (excludes 7th floor conference rooms and auditorium)
- Andrews Hall, floors 1 (common areas), 2, 3 and 4 (Student Health Clinic)
- Williams Hall, C Wing (Pulmonary/Critical Care, Strelitz Diabetes)
- Jones Institute (IVF activities on floors 1 and 2)
- Masks are required in any group gathering where the meeting host has asked individuals to remain masked.
Unvaccinated/Partially Vaccinated Individuals
- Masks must be worn at all times in all locations, whether inside or outside of buildings, except when alone and in private spaces such as an office or outdoors and away from others.
- Social distance (more than 6 feet) must be maintained at in-person educational, research or administrative meetings.
We are grateful for the patience, understanding and support shown by the members of the EVMS community as we continue to work our way through the pandemic as safely as we can.
Booster shots
Due to the spread of the Omicron variant, all employees, residents, fellows and students are strongly urged to get a booster shot now, and to enter that information on the VAX portal. As the pandemic progresses, it is likely that booster shots will be required sometime in the near future.
Booster shots are available through the Virginia Department of Health and many local pharmacies.
Vaccination and booster directive
All eligible employees, residents, fellows and students are required to receive their booster shot as of Feb. 15, 2022 – and document through the EVMS VAX portal having received the shot.
Find the guidance from CDC on booster shots. A summary of that guidance follows:
When to get a booster
- If you received Pfizer-BioNTech: At least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series
- If you received Moderna: At least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series
- If you received Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen: At least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination
If you are not yet eligible, you must upload your booster vaccination card or other proof of vaccination within one month of your eligibility date, based on your vaccination dates recorded in VAX portal. The CDC may change the period of eligibility, so please monitor the CDC booster shot guidelines for any changes.
You are required to receive the booster within 30 days of becoming eligible.
Which booster to select
Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most situations. Use of heterologous booster doses (mix and match) is authorized for those 18 years and older. For a given COVID-19 primary vaccine series, heterologous boosters elicited similar or higher antibody responses as compared to their respective homologous booster responses.
In layman's terms, studies show those who received a Pfizer vaccine with their first two shots, may get better protection by boosting with a Moderna vaccine and vice-versa.
Find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster
Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1.800.232.0233 to find locations near you.
Boosters and vaccinations following SARS-CoV-2 infection
People with known current SARS-CoV-2 infection should defer vaccination at least until they have recovered from the acute illness (if symptoms were present) and met the criteria to end isolation. Current evidence about the optimal timing between SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination is insufficient to provide more specific guidance.
If you recently had an active COVID case, you will have up to 90 days from a positive test result to upload your booster vaccination card in the VAX portal.
Rationale for the Directive
The vaccine mandate is an essential part of participating in in-person instruction, clinical experiences, and student social and community engagement activities. The determination to mandate the vaccine was made after the vaccines were safely administered to millions of people across the United States, and is based on CDC guidance on the use, safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect the health and safety of the EVMS campus.
Who is fully vaccinated?
People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson [J&J]/Janssen).
Individuals who have received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that is listed for emergency use by WHO (Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., COMIRNATY, Tozinameran), AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., Covishield, Vaxzevria), Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine, Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine) do not need any additional doses with an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine.
Please note: All EVMS students and employees are required to follow the CDC booster guidelines. .
Requesting an exemption from the vaccination requirement
Medical exemptions for students will be determined by Student Health and religious exemptions will be determined by . Employees may be granted religious exemptions by Human Resources and medical exemptions will be determined by Occupational Health by following the procedures in place for the annual flu shot.
If you already have an approved exemption on file, you are exempt from the booster requirement.
Database on vaccination status
Human Resources (with assistance from Risk Management) will maintain a database on employees and students with regard to their vaccination status and will share that information as appropriate with Occupational Health, Student Health, Student Affairs, PDs and others with a business reason for needing to know. Find a link to the EVMS VAX Portal in myPortal.