COVID-19 Vaccine Information
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Like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Maryland Department of Health, and medical providers across the country, the University of Maryland strongly believes that the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from getting the disease, in addition to following preventive measures. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.
Vaccine Requirements for Fall 2021
Every faculty member, staff member and student plays a vital role in the health and safety of our University community. We ask that each of you consider your health and the health of others, and comply with the vaccine mandate. Getting vaccinated remains the best way to ensure that we have a full and rich experience during the forthcoming fall semester.
COVID-19 vaccinations are required for all students, faculty and staff returning to campus this fall semester, as announced by the University System of Maryland Chancellor.
- To meet the requirement, you must receive your second Pfizer or Moderna shot or only Johnson & Johnson shot no later than August 2, 2021.
- If you are vaccinated but have not yet confirmed your status with the University, please visit return.umd.edu.
- The university has announced expectations and requirements for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated community members. See Health and Safety requirements.
- Important vaccine information for students arriving from outside the United States is available from the University Health Center.
- Affiliates coming to campus one or more days per week and interacting with UMD students, faculty, or staff are also required to be vaccinated. See guidelines for affiliates.
Vaccine Exemptions
UMD will comply with all federal and state laws in granting appropriate exemptions for medical or religious reasons.
See An Example Exemption Form:
- Example religious exemption form (PDF); for review only. Do not submit this example form.
- Example medical exemption form (PDF); for review only. Do not submit this example form.
Vaccine Compliance
Undergraduate and graduate students who are unvaccinated without an exemption will not be allowed to live in the residence halls or in on-campus chapter houses nor have access to campus facilities, including academic buildings, and may face the cancellation of their fall and spring course registration.
If a staff or faculty member does not comply with masking, testing or any other health and safety requirements, progressive discipline will be implemented, up to and including termination.
How and Where to Get Vaccinated
There are several ways to make an appointment to be vaccinated, and some locations may have walk-up availability.
The university is working with vaccination partners to administer vaccines to our campus community. Details on vaccine appointments are shared with the community and posted here as they become available.
- Available sites vary depending on where you live in the state. Maryland’s COVID-19 Vaccinations page has a tool to “Find a Vaccination Clinic Near You”.
- Prince George’s County Residents and UMD Employees: Individuals who live or work in the county can make an appointment for their first dose of the vaccine.
The CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine site has tools to find vaccine providers near you and to check your state health department’s vaccine information.
For UMD Employees
Administrative leave for vaccine appointments is available to regular and Contingent II staff and faculty. Please review more details on available time and how to use it.
After Getting Vaccinated
- You can authorize the Chesapeake Regional Information System for Patients (CRISP) to release your vaccination information to the University Health Center (UHC). This will allow the UHC to automatically verify compliance with the USM vaccination requirement.
- If you decide not to authorize CRISP, you have to verify your vaccination status manually by uploading proof of vaccination to the UHC portal directly.
#Vax4Maryland Champion Challenge
Frequently Asked Questions
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have indicated that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us getting the illness. Different types of vaccines work in different ways to offer protection. But with all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply of “memory” T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight that virus in the future. You can learn more about how COVID-19 vaccines work by visiting the CDC’s website. Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended in the United States to prevent COVID-19: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. The list of ingredients included in the three vaccines is available on the CDC website.
Yes. The University System of Maryland announced on April 23, 2021 that all eligible students, faculty, and staff on Maryland campuses are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the fall 2021 semester. Getting vaccinated is important for our UMD campus community’s health, safety, and well-being, and we encourage all students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
Students, faculty, and staff should get vaccinated as soon as possible and are required to complete their vaccination(s) by no later than August 2, 2021. Depending on the type of vaccine you receive, you may need to get your first shot by July 6 to meet this deadline.
There are two ways to confirm your vaccination status:
- You can authorize the Chesapeake Regional Information System for Patients (CRISP) to release your vaccination information to the University Health Center (UHC). This will allow the UHC to automatically verify compliance with the USM vaccination requirement.
- If you decide not to authorize CRISP, you have to verify your vaccination status manually by uploading proof of vaccination to the UHC portal directly.
The CDC indicates that in general, people are considered fully vaccinated:
- 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
- 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
Yes. UMD will comply with all federal and state laws in granting appropriate exemptions for medical or religious reasons.
Request a vaccine exemption for medical or religious reasons here. UMD Central Authentication Service (CAS) login required.
Review samples of the exemption information:
- Example religious exemption form (PDF); for review only. Do not submit this example form.
- Example medical exemption form (PDF); for review only. Do not submit this example form.
Any students, faculty, or staff granted a vaccination exemption will receive additional instructions regarding guidelines they will be expected to follow; including the need to wear a mask when near others, regular and on-going COVID-19 testing, and physical distancing.
Yes, the CDC indicates that you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Evidence suggests that natural immunity may not last as long, and that immunity from vaccines may be more robust and last longer. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible that you could become re-infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 after your immunity wanes.
Any students, faculty, or staff planning to be on campus this summer and who have not yet been fully vaccinated will need to be tested at least once per month and attest the results at return.umd.edu. They must also continue to wear a mask. If you have not yet been vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to begin the vaccination process as soon as possible. All students, faculty, and staff are required to complete their required vaccinations by August 2, 2021.
Yes. All students, faculty, or staff coming to campus are required to be vaccinated.
Those who have been fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms will not need to be tested in June and July.
Note: Anyone not fully vaccinated will need to continue getting tested at least once per month and attest the results at return.umd.edu. Please visit umd.edu/4Maryland for updated information regarding any changes to 4 Maryland expectations throughout the summer and fall semester.
There are several ways to make an appointment to be vaccinated:
In Maryland
Hospitals, Local Health Departments, and Pharmacies: Available sites vary depending on where you live in the state. Maryland’s COVID-19 Vaccinations page has a tool to “Find a Vaccination Clinic Near You”.
Mass Vaccination Site: Maryland residents ages 12 and older can schedule an appointment to be vaccinated at one of the state’s mass vaccination sites.
Prince George’s County Residents and UMD Employees: Individuals who live or work in the county can make an appointment for their first dose of the vaccine.
Outside the State of Maryland
The CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine site has tools to find vaccine providers near you and to check your state health department’s vaccine information.
Please visit umd.edu/4Maryland for up-to-date UMD COVID-19 information. If you have additional questions, please email healthconcerns@umd.edu.
Yes, and we encourage you to begin the vaccination process as soon as possible. Students, faculty, and staff must submit verification of their completed vaccination(s) by August 2, 2021.
Students who are not in compliance with the campus’ vaccination requirement may have their class registrations canceled and will not be allowed to move in or live in University-owned residence halls or Chapter Houses. Further, students not in compliance will be denied access to all University-owned buildings and campus services, including, but not limited to, academic buildings, dining and RecWell facilities, libraries, and The Stamp.
Resources
- COVID-19 Vaccine Info - also available en español, including phases, eligibility, and where to find a vaccination site
- Schedule an appointment for vaccination at a mass vaccination site
- COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard
- 4 Questions with Dr. Marinopoulos: The COVID-19 Vaccine (YouTube) - UMD’s University Health Center Director Dr. Spyridon Marinopoulos answers 4 pressing questions about being vaccinated.
- Getting Ready for Your COVID-19 Vaccine - includes a tool to find your state health department’s COVID-19 information online
- Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines
- 8 Things to Know About the Vaccine
Feedback
We value input from our campus community. Please fill out our feedback form to share suggestions or report concerns about health and safety on campus.
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