Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

University of Mississippi

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 COVID-19 Updates

Faculty and Staff Eligible for COVID-19 Booster Vaccine
UM employees who received their second dose of Pfizer six months ago or more (second dose of Pfizer on April 26 or earlier) are eligible for a Pfizer booster dose. For additional details about eligibility, see MSDH recommendations.
Where to Get COVID-19 Booster Vaccine
  • Eligible individuals can receive a COVID-19 booster dose at the University Health Center or any of the on-campus vaccine clinics scheduled for Oct. 26; Nov. 2, 9, and 30. Please use this link to register for a time on Oct. 26 to receive a Pfizer dose. Links to register for time slots for November clinics will be shared at a later date.
  • Booster doses are also available from county health departments. Use the online scheduler or call the Mississippi COVID-19 Hotline at 877-978-6453 for assistance
  • Check with your doctor, pharmacy, or other vaccination provider about getting a COVID-19 booster dose. Find a vaccination provider.
COVID-19 Vaccine on Campus
To date, the university has administered 6,836 vaccine doses on campus. There are additional vaccine clinics being offered at Johnson Commons for the FREE FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine for those aged 12 and up will be held. All clinics will offer the first, second, third and booster Pfizer dose.
  • Oct. 26 — 1-3 p.m. (Please use this link to register for a time on Oct. 26 to receive a Pfizer dose.)
  • Nov. 2, 9, and 30 — 1-3 p.m. (Links to register for time slots for November clinics will be shared at a later date.)
COVID-19 Testing
On Campus
The university continues to offer FREE COVID-19 testing for symptomatic or asymptomatic students, faculty, and staff at the University-Oxford Depot on campus Monday-Friday, 3-7 p.m. and this Sunday, 12 noon-4 p.m. See the full schedule and more details here. To schedule your test:
  1. Text “2020” to 833-991-3009 OR click on this link: http://86borders.com/l/68415e8f
  2. Complete the Testing Intake Form
  3. You will receive a confirmation # to present at the testing site
  4. Show up (with your University-affiliated ID) any day, any time during testing hours that week.
See results from University-Oxford Depot testing.
Additionally, University Health Center continues to offer COVID testing on campus. Call Student Health at (662) 915-7274 or Employee Health at (662) 915-6550 to schedule a test.
Oxford/Lafayette County
MSDH offers FREE testing at the Oxford Conference Center Monday through Friday. More info and available appointments are here. Or, you can see this list of clinics around town that offer COVID testing.
Featured FAQ: Is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (often called the “Pfizer vaccine”) being distributed on campus FDA approved?
Yes, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (often called the “Pfizer vaccine”) being distributed on campus is FDA approved. We understand there has been some confusion regarding the Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) name change. According to the CDC, there has been no change in the formulation of the vaccine since the name change. COMIRNATY is the brand name for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval on August 23, 2021, for individuals 16 years of age and older. Once vaccines are approved by the FDA, companies can market the vaccines under brand names. Now that the FDA-authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the FDA for individuals 16 years of age and older, it will be marketed as COMIRNATY. See this FDA letter for additional information.
News Stories and Resources
  1. Pfizer’s Covid vaccine 93% effective at preventing teen hospitalizations, CDC study finds (Forbes)
  2. The U.S. will reopen its land borders for fully vaccinated travelers (NYT)
  3. FDA panel recommends Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine booster for some Americans (WAPT)
  4. Still using cloth masks? It’s time to switch to surgical — here’s why (CNBC)
  5. Is my immunity waning? Doctors advise Pfizer vaccine recipients not to worry (CNN)
  6. Q&A with CDC director Rochelle Walensky (Mississippi Today)
  7. Mix-and-match COVID boosters: Why they just might work (NYT)
  8. White House rolls out plan to quickly immunize kids age 5 to 11 against Covid (CNBC)
  9. UMMC Grenada takes COVID-19 vaccine on the road
COVID-19 Data
  • MSDH reported the following information for COVID-19 cases in Mississippi (as of Oct. 19):
    • 448 new cases, 11 new deaths and 35 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
  • Mississippi Vaccination Report (as of Oct. 20):
    • 2,928,993 total doses administered; 1,532,437 people receiving at least one dose; and 1,358,499 people fully vaccinated.
    • Lafayette County: 58,453 Total Doses Administered; 27,023 People Fully Vaccinated, 50% of Total Population Fully Vaccinated.
  • UMMC COVID-19 Patient Status (as of 10/20)
  • COVID-19 Patients, Oxford/Lafayette County (as of 10/20)
Quick Links