COVID Vaccine
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Requirements & Exemptions

COVID Booster Shot Requirement

Effective immediately, Duke University, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic will require all students and employees to provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 booster shot by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, or within 28 days of their eligibility under CDC and state guidelines, whichever date is later. Students can submit documentation through Student Health Services, while faculty and staff can use VaxTrax.

Visit Vaccination to find options to get a booster shot at Duke facilities across the region or Vaccines.gov for options anywhere in the country. For those who are unable to receive a booster shot before returning to campus after the winter break, additional opportunities will be made available on campus in January.

The CDC has said that individuals can choose any of the three boosters now authorized regardless of their original shot. Duke medical experts suggest that anyone who received the J&J vaccine preferentially get a booster shot of either Pfizer or Moderna, which have been proven highly effective in preventing infection and severe illness.

Requirements By Group

All Duke undergraduate, graduate and professional students must present proof of vaccination or have an approved exemption (see process below) by Monday, August 23 in order to attend classes and other campus activities during the 2021 Fall semester. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of campus access. Students should upload their proof of COVID-19 immunization for verification to Student Health. Do NOT submit documentation if you have already sent it to Student Health.

All University faculty and staff members, regardless of work location, must receive and show documentation of their completed COVID-19 vaccination by 10 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2021. University faculty and staff may apply for a medical or religious exemption, but anyone approved for an exemption will be subject to daily symptom monitoring, weekly surveillance testing, continued masking and other protocols applicable to those who have not been vaccinated.

All School of Medicine faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive an approved medical or religious exemption by 10 a.m. on September 21, 2021. This includes faculty and staff in clinical and basic science departments, centers, institutes, and School of Medicine administrative units. This includes all faculty and staff working on campus, in off-campus facilities, and those working remotely. More information about the exemption process and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the School of Medicine website. 

All School of Nursing faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive an approved medical or religious exemption by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. More information about the exemption process and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the School of Nursing website. 

All Duke University Health System team members must receive and show documentation of their completed COVID-19 vaccination(s) by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. More information about the exemption process and answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the DUHS website.

Exemptions

Students should email immunizations@duke.edu to request a medical or religious exemption form.

University faculty and staff may apply for a medical or religious exemption. (Note: School of Medicine and DUHS team members should follow the process described on the Duke Health website). Individuals granted medial or religious exemptions will be subject to daily symptom monitoring, regular testing, masking while indoors and other protocols applicable to those who have not been vaccinated:

  • All students who have obtained an exemption from vaccination will be required to participate in surveillance testing twice a week. Faculty and staff who have not been vaccinated will be required to participate in surveillance testing once per week.
  • Anyone who has not been vaccinated, regardless of the circumstances, will be required to complete daily symptom monitoring.
  • Anyone who has not been vaccinated will be required to wear a mask indoors at all times.

Applications for medical or religious exemptions should be submitted by 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.

Medical Exemption

To apply for a medical exemption, have your medical provider complete and sign this form. Submit a scanned copy of the completed form to Employee Occupational Health & Wellness at EOHWCovidVac@duke.edu.

Religious Exemption

To apply for a religious exemption, complete and submit this form to Staff and Labor Relations by email to hrslrpolicies@duke.edu or by fax to 919-681-7924.

The deadline for policy compliance is October 1, 2021.

Outside Vaccination Reporting

If you received the COVID-19 vaccine outside of the Duke Employee/Student vaccination clinic (e.g. pharmacy, health department, other institution), please submit your completed vaccination card to Duke Employee Health or Duke Student Health so your records can be updated accordingly.