COVID-19 vaccines have been demonstrated to be safe and effective, protecting people from getting sick or severely ill from COVID-19. There is also substantial evidence that people who are vaccinated are less likely to spread the virus. Having most of a population vaccinated protects the people who are vaccinated and those who cannot be vaccinated.

Based on the best medical and scientific guidance, Princeton University determined that requiring our campus community – faculty, staff, and students – to be vaccinated will allow us to resume in-person teaching, research, extracurricular activities, dining, residential life, and the work of our campus while protecting our community, individually and collectively. 

Information from CDC and other public health resources suggested evidence of waning immunity from the primary COVID-19 vaccines, and indicated that boosters would bolster protection against infection and severe disease. With this in mind, as an extension of the University’s existing COVID-19 vaccination requirement, the University decided to mandate boosters to support continued in-person teaching, research, and campus operations in the spring.

Princeton University is required to follow all NJ Department of Health (NJ DOH) rules for COVID-19. The CDC and the NJ DOH have already created separate rules for individuals who are eligible for a booster and have not received one. Thus, any student or employee who has not received a booster dose (and is eligible for one) must quarantine for five days if they are identified as a close contact with a person who tested positive. In the fall 2021 semester, most students who tested positive identified multiple students as close contacts. A student could easily be identified as a close contact multiple times over the course of a semester, which could be disruptive to their own in-person learning experience.

We anticipate that the CDC and NJ DOH will soon redefine the term “fully vaccinated” to incorporate boosters. 

While most of our students are not at great risk from infection with COVID-19, there are still vulnerable populations at risk at Princeton. The regional healthcare system is also still at risk of being overwhelmed. We cannot consider one subpopulation – healthy, vaccinated students – without taking into consideration other subpopulations. This is the unfortunate reality of a pandemic; no group is an island.

All faculty, staff, researchers, appointed visiting faculty and researchers, temporary employees, and independent contractors routinely working on the Princeton campus or in property occupied by the University are required to do one of the following in VacStatus before starting work at Princeton or returning from a leave:

• Submit their COVID-19 vaccination proof;
• Report that they are not yet fully vaccinated, but intend to be by an upcoming date that is within 30 days. Individuals must submit their COVID-19 proof of vaccination within 30 days of submitting this option in VacStatus;
• Apply for a medical or religious accommodation; or,
• Report that they do not plan to be vaccinated, despite the University requirement.

Individuals who are not granted an accommodation will have 30 days from the date they receive the notice of denial to be fully vaccinated and to enter their proof of vaccination into VacStatus. 

The University is accepting those vaccines authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as those authorized by the World Health Organization Emergency Use Listed vaccines. The following COVID vaccines are being accepted:

• FDA-Approved or Authorized: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen)
• WHO EUL-Listed: AstraZeneca/Oxford (SK-BIO and Covashield), Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) and Sinovac (CoronaVac) 

You can find the latest updates on approved vaccines on the UHS website.

Those who work on campus or other University property as follows:
The policy applies to all Princeton University faculty, staff, researchers, appointed visiting faculty and researchers, temporary employees, and independent contract employees who work on campus or other property occupied by Princeton University, no matter the duration or frequency. Those who work partially or fully remotely as follows: This policy also applies to all faculty, staff, researchers, appointed visiting faculty and researchers and casuals who work partially or fully remotely within the United States.

Subcontractors, such as those hired by the Office of Capital Projects to renovate a campus building would be a contractor that must abide by the Requirements for Contractors and Vendors. An employee of the ROTC program would be considered an affiliate.

Vaccination is not required for agency temps and independent contractors and subcontractors who work fully remotely.

This term refers to people who receive a paycheck from an entity other than Princeton University, but are supervised by a University employee. For example, an individual hired from a food services company to work with Campus Dining, event security staff hired from a private company to work with Public Safety, and a temp agency employee hired to provide administrative support to a University department are examples of independent contract employees.

Employees who are on leave should be vaccinated prior to returning to work. Employees who are working remotely need to be vaccinated or have a reasonable accommodation.

No, remote work is not an available alternative for employees who are not fully vaccinated.  

Yes.

Affiliates that have direct access to campus buildings, interact in person with our campus community on a regular basis, and whose work on campus is directed by a University employee must have their records verified in VacStatus and participate in the University’s testing program.  These requirements also include individuals who regularly use the libraries and/or Dillon Gym. Accommodations for affiliates must be handled through their employer and are not available to request through VacStatus.

Affiliates that occasionally come to campus and interact with our campus community are treated the same as visitors and should attest to their vaccination status. They should not have direct access to campus buildings.

At this time, the policy does not cover contractors (other than independent contract employees, as defined above) and vendors. Contractors and vendors are expected to follow the Requirements for Contractors and Vendors.

• Five months after the second dose of an mRNA vaccine, including Pfizer and Moderna
• Two months after the single dose of J&J Janssen vaccine
• Individuals who received a WHO-approved vaccine that is not Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J should follow the CDC guidelines for boosters.

If you are not eligible to get a booster before January 31, 2022, you will have 30 days from the date that you are eligible to enter the data into VacStatus or MyUHS.

For example, a student who got the second dose of Moderna on August 15 would be eligible for a booster on February 15 and would need to get a booster and enter the data in MyUHS by March 17, 2022. 

As of March 9, 2022, regardless of a recent COVID diagnosis, anyone who is more than 6 months past their last COVID dose and has not yet received a booster should get one immediately. Based on review of scientific evidence, there is no reason to delay receiving a booster, despite a recent diagnosis.

Employees must upload proof of booster to VacStatus.

Anyone eligible for a booster may receive Moderna or Pfizer versions, regardless of their original COVID-19 vaccine. 

No. The University is holding clinics with Moderna and Pfizer, either of which is appropriate as a booster for someone who receiving a primary dose of J&J.

Yes. For the purpose of this policy, a third dose administered at least four weeks after the second dose counts as a booster vaccine.

Boosters are mandatory for any employee covered in our vaccine policy, which includes temporary employees, employees who are fully remote, and “independent contract employees” (contractors hired to perform University functions, reporting to a University employee, including temp agencies, event security, etc.).
 

Yes. Prior COVID-19 infection is not an acceptable reason not to get a booster.

Yes. The CDC recommends that you should wait 30 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine only if you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma.

New employees are required to be vaccinated and to enter their vaccine information in VacStatus prior to their first day of work on campus. They do not have to have completed their course of vaccination by the first day of work, but need to have begun vaccination.

In VacStatus, indicate when you will be able to be vaccinated. If you are traveling to Princeton from a country that does not have acceptable COVID-19 vaccines, University Health Services will advise how to proceed with vaccination once you are in the U.S.

Yes. Some tasks may require vaccinated individuals to wear protective equipment or may require individuals who are not fully-vaccinated to use face shields or other equipment based on the risk associated with the task or workplace setting. Departments and offices should consult with Environmental Health and Safety before imposing additional requirements that restrict the activities of unvaccinated employees to ensure consistency across the University. 

In VacStatus, choose the option for applying for an accommodation. Complete the form associated with the type of accommodation you seek.

A small group led by University Health Services and including representatives from Human Resources, Office of the Dean of the Faculty, Disability Services, and Religious Life will review applications for accommodations.

Individuals who have severe or immediate allergic reactions to any of the components of the vaccines should not be vaccinated. Individuals who had a severe or immediate allergic reaction to the first dose of a vaccine should not get a second dose of the same vaccine. 

The CDC notes that people who are pregnant are more likely to become severely ill with COVID-19 compared to people who are not pregnant. The CDC and FDA advise that you can get a COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant, and recommend that if you have questions, you should discuss them with your healthcare provider.

See CDC guidance on COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding for more information.

Employees who are not vaccinated and do not qualify for a disability/medical or religious accommodation must consult with their manager and Human Resources or the Office of the Dean of the Faculty to discuss possible options. Working remotely is not an approved option for employees who elect not to be vaccinated and do not qualify for a religious or medical accommodation.

Yes. All faculty and staff are required to receive a booster by Jan. 31, 2022 OR 30 days after they become eligible. Booster shots must be uploaded to VacStatus.

Booster vaccines are available at University vaccine clinics and at several pharmacies and clinics in and around Princeton. See the state's Vaccine Appointment Finder or vaccines.gov to find a clinic.

You may with until you have received an answer. If you are not granted an exemption or accommodation, you must get your booster within 14 days of the notice.

Contact UHS at covidvaccines@Princeton.edu. You should be able to receive one of the authorized vaccines in addition to the vaccine you already received.

Yes. Prior COVID-19 infection is not an acceptable reason not to get a booster.

No. Your vaccine accommodation applies to your booster.

Yes. Please be advised that it is unlikely that you will be granted an accommodation and will need to receive a booster dose.

Yes. Applications for exemptions and accommodations will be reviewed carefully and will be granted selectively to those that demonstrate a compelling reason.

Staff and faculty must enter their updated status to VacStatus. 

Access to VacStatus is limited to a small group of authorized personnel in University Health Services, Environmental Health and Safety, and OIT system administrators responsible for maintaining VacStatus.  

This information may be used to determine your COVID-19 vaccination status and your suitability for certain University activities in accordance with COVID-19 policies, and for reporting and operational planning purposes. The University will store this information in accordance with its information security policy and will limit access in accordance with operational needs and legal requirements. In addition, University Health Services and other authorized personnel may use relevant portions of your personally identifiable information when deemed necessary to ensure compliance with the Vaccination Policy and other COVID-19 policies Princeton University has put in place to protect the health and safety of the campus community.

The University takes responsibility for securing data very seriously. This information is stored in accordance with the University’s information security policy and the software used to collect and store this information has undergone a comprehensive security review. We have also implemented extra precautions (including encryption of specific data) to protect this information. 

To verify if you have submitted a vaccine record in VacStatus:

1. Log into VacStatus via this web link or the TigerSafe app
2. Select the option for “Provide Vaccination Record” and click the Next button.
3. On the next screen, if you've submitted a record, you will be able to see your vaccination information. If you are listed as “Verified” then no further action is required. If no records are on that screen you will need to upload your vaccination card.

Employees vaccinated in New Jersey can request a new copy of their immunization card by visiting the New Jersey Immunization Information System (NJIIS) website. Learn more about how to submit a request on the NJ Covid Information Hub.   

Those vaccinated outside of New Jersey can find their immunization record through your state’s IIS. An alphabetical list is published on the CDC website.  

For technical issues with VacStatus, contact OIT from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week at 609-258-4357 (8-HELP), helpdesk@princeton.edu, or via online chat. For other questions, contact UHS at covidvaccines@princeton.edu.

You can also get help in person by going to the asymptomatic testing clinic any time it is open. See Clinic Information for hours of operation.

The University will not have an official vaccine passport, but your vaccine record in VacStatus will note that your vaccination information has been verified. The State of New Jersey offers the Docket app for tracking vaccine status.

Managers should consult with Office of the Dean Of the Faculty (DOF) and/or Human Resources to determine how best to engage with their staff on this topic. While the EEOC has clarified that information about an employee’s COVID-19 vaccination status is considered confidential medical information, the University is permitted to request or require confirmation of vaccination from employees so long as they keep such documentation separate from an employee’s personnel file.

Your health insurance will provide coverage if you suffer an adverse reaction to the vaccination that requires medical services. You will be responsible for your portion of the costs, such as copays, a deductible and/or coinsurance, depending upon the services required for treatment.

Your COVID-19 days, sick or bundled time may be used. If you are out eight days or more, you may apply for short term disability.

The University has instituted a Covid-19 vaccine requirement for all students and employees, though requests may be made for medical or religious accommodations. The requirements were put in place based on public health guidance and best practices for helping to reduce the spread of Covid-19 on our campus. While Worker’s Compensation benefits may not apply to adverse impacts from vaccination, should employees apply for Worker’s Compensation benefits in connection with an adverse reactions they incur as a result of being vaccinated, such applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis in accordance with our Worker’s Compensation policy. Otherwise, Covid-19 days and other accrued paid time off, as well as short term disability, are available in accordance with applicable University policy.