COVID-19 Vaccine Information

doctor holding cotton ball to patient's arm after giving vaccine in syringe.
 

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

RIT is implementing a mandatory vaccination policy for all of its employees, regardless of whether they work on-site or remotely. In addition, COVID-19 vaccination and exemption requirements are changing for students. RIT is revising its religious and medical exemption process and will no longer accept philosophical exemptions.

Student Vaccination Requirements

COVID-19 vaccination and exemption requirements are changing for students due to new information and policy modifications. RIT is revising its religious and medical exemption process and will no longer accept philosophical exemptions.

All students enrolled at RIT (Henrietta campus) are required to submit evidence of being fully vaccinated by January 9, 2022, if you have not already provided such documentation. 

Any student with a current exemption on file with the Student Health Center will need to re-submit an exemption request for review. Philosophical exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine will expire at the end of the fall semester and will not be considered in the future. In addition, all religious and medical exemptions must be re-submitted for review.

Complete the COVID-19 vaccine form

Request an exemption

Employee Vaccination Requirements

RIT’s Mandatory Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Policy applies to all employees regardless of whether they work on-site or remotely, unless the individual qualifies for and receives an exemption. All employees are required to report their vaccine status and to provide approved documentation as proof of vaccination no later than Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

Learn more about the employee vaccination policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Gene Polisseni Center Policy

Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all fans (12 years of age and older) attending RIT men's and women's hockey games at the Gene Polisseni Center, beginning November 6 with the women's game versus Syracuse. Learn more about the vaccination requirement.

Unvaccinated Student Testing Requirements

Students who are not fully vaccinated at the time of their arrival will be required to participate in weekly testing starting the week they arrive on campus. Full vaccination means maximal protection, which occurs 14 days after the final dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Learn more about testing requirements

Employee Testing Requirements

Weekly testing of employees who are not yet fully vaccinated will continue until November 17.

Learn more about employee testing requirements

Vaccination Site Resources

For individuals currently residing in Rochester area

Students: Consider scheduling a vaccine appointment at the Wegmans located at 650 Hylan Drive. The RIT off-campus shuttle is available on weekends and stops at the entrance to the Wegmans parking lot. Students who are struggling with the logistics of scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination, including locating available appointments and obtaining transportation, can contact Case Management for support.

Faculty and staff: Rochester Regional Health Family Medicine Practice at RIT has announced a new COVID-19 vaccine sign-up for eligible RIT faculty and staff. Check the RRH website for available appointments or go to the New York state website to schedule an appointment.

For individuals currently residing in New York state

For individuals currently residing outside of New York state

There are a number of resources available to help you find a COVID-19 vaccine outside of New York state:

  • VaccineFinder, which is a free, online service where you can search for pharmacies and providers that offer the vaccination. Information about where COVID-19 vaccines are available is provided directly by pharmacies and providers, in collaboration with states, and is updated daily. VaccineFinder is operated by Boston Children’s Hospital, in partnership with the CDC.
  • CDC Retail Pharmacy List, which includes various pharmacies offering the vaccine through the federal government. This site also allows you to search pharmacies by state.
  • Your state’s department of health website

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Regardless of whether an enrolled student is on or off-campus, they will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by January 9, 2022. The final dose of one’s vaccine must be administered no later than December 26, 2021. In addition, students enrolled in fully remote online degree programs and individuals participating in online-only continuing education programs will also be required to be vaccinated.

More information for RIT employees is available on the Employee Expectations page.

COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated high levels of protection against the COVID-19 virus. We are taking this step in support of our community and global public health. 

Requests for medical and religious exemptions must be submitted for non-student employees by December 1, 2021. All philosophical exemptions and the option to submit an attestation that you are not currently on campus are being eliminated. 

We are eliminating the philosophical exemptions. We are taking this step in support of our community and global public health. 

Yes. All previously submitted exemptions will expire on December 19, 2021. If you wish to resubmit a religious or medical exemption request, you must do so by December 1, 2021.  If you are a student employee you must resubmit a religious or medical exemption request by November 1, 2021.

All exemptions must be reviewed and approved by the Student Health Center. Clarification may be necessary so students should monitor their secure messages in the RIT Wellness Portal to ensure prompt review. When approved, a secure message is sent to the student as confirmation.

All enrolled students must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by January 9, 2022. Students who don’t will not be permitted to be on campus or allowed to take any classes.

Follow the exemption process through the Student Health Center.

We are eliminating the attestation option. 

Students must log into the RIT Wellness Portal to complete the COVID-19 Vaccine form and upload a photo or scanned copy of their vaccination card or receipt with their name, date of birth, name of the vaccine, and the date(s) of the shots.

Acceptable vaccines include those approved for use in the U.S., accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or approved by the World Health Organization.

In order to continue their employment with RIT, all student employees will need to receive their final dose of a vaccine regimen on or before Wednesday, November 24, 2021, to be fully vaccinated by December 8.

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

Students who are struggling with the logistics of scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination should check New York State-operated vaccination locations or the Finger Lakes COVID-19 Vaccine HUB.

Vaccine requirements for students are not new. Students already are required, under New York state law, to provide proof of vaccinations for certain diseases. The decision to require COVID-19 vaccination for students is consistent with current laws and was made in accordance with the recommendation of the American College Health Association (ACHA) and the Centers for Disease Control.

Yes. CDC guidance is that you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 as the vaccine provides stronger and longer lasting immunity.

If you have questions, ask your personal healthcare provider. Any future health consequences that may arise due to the use of the vaccine will be the responsibility of the vaccine manufacturers and providers as is the case for all vaccines.

Your vaccine did not expire. The New York State Excelsior Pass or other similar systems may require you to re-enter your information every 3-6 months. If you re-enter, your “pass” will be extended. RIT is not currently using this pass, but other New York venues are. It’s a good idea to keep it updated.