Vaccination Requirement – May 12, 2021
Sent on behalf of the Health Center. If you have questions please contact them directly - healthcenter@framingham.edu.
Thank you!
We have come to the end of this very unusual academic year. Despite the difficulty and challenge COVID-19 presented to every area of campus, FSU weathered the year quite well. As of today, since August 2020 we have performed 25,164 tests with 108 positive test results, a positivity rate of 0.43%. The electronic sign in from of McCarthy Center has said all year, “To safely be here, it takes all of us.” Because of everyone doing their part, we had no outbreaks that caused a lockdown or the university to close as happened with some other schools. So, thank you to all students for doing your part!!
COVID-19 Vaccine
In the fall it will again take all of us to safely be here. Our goal is for the fall semester to be as normal as possible while protecting the health and safety of the FSU community. The primary way to achieve this is through vaccination. As you have heard, the Massachusetts state universities are requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for all students. We are requiring that you receive the final dose of the vaccine and submit documentation by August 1, 2021. Knowing the percentage of the campus that is vaccinated will help us determine what safety measures need to be in place in order to have a more normal campus experience. Safety measures such as social distancing, masking, frequency of testing, limits in dining hall, guests in residence halls, size of events, etc. will depend on the number of students vaccinated.
There are 3 COVID-19 vaccines available:
Pfizer - 2 doses, 3 weeks apart, must receive the first dose by July 12 to meet the Aug 1 deadline
Moderna - 2 doses 4 weeks apart, must receive the first dose by July 5 to meet the Aug 1 deadline
Johnson & Johnson – “one and done” must receive the vaccine by Aug 1
Getting the Vaccine
Many pharmacies now have the vaccine and readily available appointments. If you want to get the first dose before you leave campus for the summer, both Walgreens on Rte 9 and the CVS at Target have vaccine appointments available on a daily basis. You need to book an appointment online:
The mass vaccination site at Natick Mall is now accepting walk-ins with no appointment needed. The Ram Tram makes stops at the Natick Mall and Target through this Friday. You could get your first dose before you leave for the summer and you will be given the date to get the second dose at home or wherever you are this summer.
Documenting the Vaccine
You will need to document in the Medicat Patient Portal the date you received the vaccine and upload a copy of your vaccine card. You can access the Medicat Patient Portal from the QR code on the attached flyer, or the FSUgo app or at framingham.medicatconnect.com. The attached flyer has detailed instructions on how to upload your vaccination card and enter the vaccine administration dates. Please complete this by August 1st.
There will be information coming later about the process for students to submit a request for an allowable exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
Have a wonderful, safe and healthy summer!
Ilene Hofrenning MSN, FNP-BC
Director, Health Center