Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

University of Mississippi

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 COVID-19 Updates

All University Employees Required to be Vaccinated Against COVID-19 by Dec. 8
The university announced this week that all faculty, staff and student employees must get vaccinated in order to comply with the terms of an Executive Order issued by President Biden on “Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors.”
The order requires all federal contractors, such as the university, to comply with the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force’s “COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors.” The task force guidance requires all employees, including graduate and undergraduate student employees, working on or in connection with a federal contract to be vaccinated, and also requires all employees working in a covered contractor workplace to be vaccinated. The definition of the covered contractor workplace as outlined in the task force guidance is broad and covers all buildings and spaces on campus.
Please note that this vaccination requirement is a condition of employment at the university, not a condition of enrollment. If you are a student who is not employed by the university, you are not required to be vaccinated. For those wishing to request an accommodation, instructions for employees to submit this information electronically will be shared no later than Monday, Nov. 1.
For additional information:
More COVID-19 On-Campus Vaccine Clinics Scheduled
The university will host more on-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinics for UM employees and students to receive first, second, third and booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Here is the schedule for Pfizer vaccine clinics to be held at Johnson Commons and related appointment sign-up links:
COVID-19 Booster Vaccines Update
  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will allow people to “mix and match” vaccine types when seeking a COVID-19 booster shot. Individuals can now receive a COVID-19 booster dose produced by a different manufacturer than the provider of their initial vaccine.

  • CDC now recommends that certain people are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, including those who received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. Get more information and read CDC’s media statement.
  • UM employees who received their second dose of Pfizer six months ago or more are eligible for a Pfizer booster dose. For additional details about eligibility, see MSDH recommendations.
COVID-19 Testing
On Campus, 6 days a week
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 Saturday, 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. 
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: Can I receive a Pfizer booster dose if I initially got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine?
The FDA has expanded the use of booster doses of COVID-19 of vaccine to eligible individuals to include Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccine in certain persons and to allow for heterologous (mix and match) dosing for booster doses. The CDC has endorsed the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine, which align with the updated FDA authorizations.  Please see the MSDH Health Alert Message for specifics.
If you received your last dose of Moderna six months ago or longer, or a dose of Johnson & Johnson two months ago or longer, and you are currently eligible for a booster shot under MSDH guidelines, you may receive a Pfizer booster dose at an on-campus clinic or the University Health Center. 
News Stories and Resources
COVID-19 Data
  • MSDH reported the following information for COVID-19 cases in Mississippi (as of Oct. 26):
    • 344 new cases, 2 new deaths and 25 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
  • Mississippi Vaccination Report (as of Oct. 27):
    • 2,973,252 total doses administered; 1,542,370 people receiving at least one dose; and 1,370,257 people fully vaccinated.
    • Lafayette County: 59,202 Total Doses Administered; 27,168 People Fully Vaccinated, 50% of Total Population Fully Vaccinated.
  • UMMC COVID-19 Patient Status (as of 10/27)
  • COVID-19 Patients, Oxford/Lafayette County (as of 10/25)
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