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. 

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; or
• Apply for a medical or religious accommodation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Contact UHS at [email protected]. You should be able to receive one of the authorized vaccines in addition to the vaccine you already received.

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), [email protected], or via online chat. For other questions, contact UHS at [email protected].

You can also get help in person by going to the testing support room at Frist 114 any time it is open. See Testing Support and Test Kit Pickup 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.