COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Employees
Under the federal guidance requiring employees to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 4, 2022, UM employees (faculty, staff and student employees) are asked to upload their vaccination records electronically by the end of day this Friday, Dec. 3 for planning purposes. To comply, you must receive both shots of a two-dose vaccine, or one shot of a single-dose vaccine, before the deadline.
- Employee vaccine mandate information
- FAQs
- Submit your vaccination record
- UM COVID Medical Exemption Request Form
- UM COVID Religious Exemption Request Form
- Ask HR and EORC about submitting vaccination records and requesting medical and religious exemptions (requires UM login)
Booster Eligibility Expanded
Eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots has been expanded by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) to include all adults 18 and over. Appointments for a booster shot can be made at any county health department clinics through the MSDH Vaccine Scheduler or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 877-978-6453. COVID-19 vaccines are also available at numerous other providers statewide, including pharmacies and clinics — visit https://www.vaccines.gov/search/ to find locations near you.
You can get a booster shot of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine if you are at least 18 years old and:
- Fully vaccinated with two shots of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, AND
- It’s been at least six months since your last shot of either vaccine.
OR:
- Fully vaccinated with one shot of Johnson and Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, AND
- It’s been at least two months since your last shot.
How to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine
Those who still need one or more doses may walk in to University Health Services weekdays between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. when the university is open to receive a vaccination.
A list of local vaccine clinics is also on UM’s vaccination webpage.
To meet the Jan. 4 deadline to submit a vaccination record, faculty, staff and student employees need to receive vaccine doses by these dates:
- Moderna: first dose by Dec. 6, second dose by Jan. 3.
- Pfizer: first dose by Dec. 13, second dose by Jan. 3.
- Johnson & Johnson: single dose by Jan. 3.
On-Campus COVID-19 Testing
The university will continue offering FREE COVID-19 testing for symptomatic or asymptomatic students, faculty and staff at the University-Oxford Depot on campus through Saturday, Dec. 11. Testing will be offered Monday–Friday from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday from 12 noon-4 p.m.
See more details here. To schedule your test:
- Text “2020” to 833-991-3009 OR click on this link: http://86borders.com/l/68415e8f
- Complete the Testing Intake Form
- You will receive a confirmation # to present at the testing site
- Show up (with your University-affiliated ID) any day, any time during testing hours that week.
How to Get a Flu Shot
Faculty, staff and students can receive a flu shot at the University Health Center weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
International Travel
If you plan to travel outside of the United States during the winter break, please make sure to keep abreast of the most up-to-date travel requirements for your destination and your return to the United States. Depending on where you go and what restrictions may be imposed, you could face the risk of being unable to return to the United States as scheduled.
Applicable Guidance
- Traveling over the winter break? Non-US citizens need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted vaccine to enter the United States, unless they fall under one of the very limited exceptions. Recovery from a previous COVID-19 infection or quarantine after arrival DOES NOT replace this requirement.
- With the emergence of the Omicron variant, entry into the United States has been suspended for some travelers as of November 29, 2021.
- The Office of Global Engagement recommends getting a booster shot prior to international travel, when eligible. Travelers should not rely on being able to get booster shots abroad as this is far from certain in most cases. Vaccination, and a booster shot depending on the timing, has become a requirement in Italy and France for a valid health pass, which is needed to enter restaurants, cafes, and museums, and other public venues. Other countries are likely to follow suit; the European Union has proposed that all vaccine certificates, including the CDC or other similar vaccination document from the United States, have a maximum validity of 270 days for a fully vaccinated individual, from the date of their last dose.
- Remember that all travelers, regardless of citizenship, must present a negative viral test result (or proof of recovery from COVID-19) before boarding a flight to the United States. The time periods are different for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers. This requirement, including the time periods, could change with little notice. Please consult the CDC and your airline for the most up to date testing requirements.
Resources
The CDC has a helpful interactive travel assessment resource to find out what is needed to board a flight to the United States. Requirements vary by citizenship, age, and possible exceptions, and the travel assessment tool is helpful for your specific situation!
There is also a helpful flowchart from the CDC on how and if you can enter the United States.
If you are traveling internationally, we encourage you to contact the Office of Global Engagement at global@olemiss.edu for resources and guidance on your travels. OGE also keeps a travel page updated as information becomes available.
Please note that travel requirements may change quickly and with little notice, so always consult the CDC, local embassy resources, the U.S. Department of State, and your airline for the most up to date information.
Featured FAQ: What do we know about the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron?
The World Health Organization (WHO) classified a new variant, B.1.1.529, as a Variant of Concern on Nov. 26 and has named it Omicron. CDC is monitoring the development of this new variant, first reported to the WHO by officials in South Africa. According to the CDC, the California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health have confirmed that a recent case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529).
CDC recommends key prevention strategies, such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, washing your hands frequently, and physically distancing from others. CDC also recommends that everyone 5 years of age and older protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated. CDC encourages a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for those who are eligible
News Stories and Resources
- FDA actively working to investigate, address potential impacts of Omicron variant; Urges vaccination and boosters (FDA)
- FDA advisers vote to recommend authorization of a pill to treat Covid-19 (CNN)
- U.S. and other nations harden travel rules over Omicron, EU urges vaccination (Reuters)
- Counterfeit COVID masks are still sold everywhere, despite misleading claims (NYT)
COVID-19 Data
- MSDH reported the following information for COVID-19 cases in Mississippi (as of Nov. 30):
- 468 new cases, 2 new deaths and 31 long-term care facilities outbreaks.
- Mississippi Vaccination Report (as of Nov. 30):
- 3,218,787 total doses administered; 1,606,862 people receiving at least one dose; and 1,409,865 people fully vaccinated.
- Lafayette County: 63,407 Total Doses Administered; 27,760 People Fully Vaccinated, 51% of Total Population Fully Vaccinated.
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