By Eric Estes, Andrew Campbell and Vanessa Britto
When the University announced its student COVID-19 vaccination requirement in April 2021, we promised to share additional information over the summer on implementing the requirement. We write today with a series of updates. These include information about the timeline and process for requesting an exemption, an Aug. 1 vaccination deadline for Fall 2021 students, and information about health measures for the fall.
These updates apply to all undergraduate and graduate students at Brown who will be on campus or engage in any level of in-person instruction, whether in the U.S. or abroad. Leaders at the Warren Alpert Medical School will continue to communicate directly with Brown’s medical students. As has been the case since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to monitor public health guidance and provide updates if the pandemic prompts any need to adjust or add to these plans.
STUDENT VACCINATION DEADLINES: JULY 1 (SUMMER) AND AUGUST 1 (FALL)
As the University communicated in May, all Brown students engaged in on-campus activities this summer — education, jobs, research, or engaging in any in-person education or work with other Brown employees, students or visitors — were required to receive the final dose of their COVID-19 vaccine by July 1, 2021. We are pleased to have reached a 95% vaccination rate among these students — any remaining students should upload their vaccination cards as soon as possible.
For the Fall 2021 semester, Brown will require COVID-19 vaccines for all students who will be on campus or engage in any level of in-person instruction, whether in the U.S. or abroad. To achieve near-universal vaccination before fall semester activities begin, we are requiring all students to receive their final dose and upload their vaccination card by Aug. 1, 2021.
Detailed instructions on how to upload your vaccination card are available at http://brown.edu/go/verify. For students receiving a two-dose vaccination, please upload your card once the first COVID shot is received and the completed vaccination card once the second shot is received.
MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION REQUESTS DUE JULY 15
Students may request a medical or religious exemption to Brown’s student vaccination requirement. To do so, contact University Health Services at nursing@health.brown.edu to request an exemption form, and complete and submit that exemption form for review by Thursday, July 15.
Requests for medical exemptions will be reviewed by University Health Services clinicians, and decisions will be based on science and on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Rhode Island Department of Health guidelines. For any request denials, the student will be notified as to why it was declined with scientific citation / CDC guidance supporting the decision. There will be no appeals. Requests for religious exemptions will be reviewed by University Health Services as well.
All questions about exemptions for students should be directed to University Health Services at nursing@health.brown.edu.
FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: VACCINATION GUIDELINES AND RULES FOR VACCINE INTERCHANGEABILITY
To satisfy Brown’s vaccination requirement, students must submit documentation of a COVID-19 vaccine for which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (FDA-EUA) or a COVID-19 vaccine for which the World Health Organization has issued an Emergency Use Listing (WHO-EUL).
For international students vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines not authorized in the U.S., Brown has established requirements for accepting international vaccinations that closely follow CDC guidelines, as well as protocols for interchangeability of vaccines. International students vaccinated with non-FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccines may revaccinate with FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccines 28 days after their last vaccination.
While students who are unvaccinated with FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccines will be able to schedule vaccination upon their arrival to campus, they will be required to adhere to Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) quarantine guidance, including quarantine for seven days with a negative COVID test result on Day 5. Students are strongly encouraged to factor this quarantine period into their travel plans and recognize that they will be unable to participate in any in-person activities until the completion of this period. In addition, until they are 14 days past their final dose of an FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccine, they will also be required to wear masks indoors when with other people and outdoors if unable to maintain 3 feet of social distance.
These guidelines for receiving international vaccinations apply to all students who will be on Brown’s campus or participating in a Brown-administered program. Additional details are available on the Healthy Brown website: https://healthy.brown.edu/vaccinations/eligibility
FALL 2021 CAMPUS ARRIVAL PROTOCOLS
Quarantine and Isolation: Given the expectation that Brown will achieve a near-universal vaccination rate among students and employees, plans at this time are for no formal Quiet Period for the greater Brown student population. Individuals who have received an FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccine will not be required to observe a travel quarantine, but may be required to take a COVID test on Day 5 following their arrival.
Unvaccinated travelers — or those who received a non-FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccine — will be required to quarantine for seven days and take a COVID test on Day 5. Students are strongly encouraged to factor this quarantine period into their travel plans and recognize that they will be unable to participate in any in-person activities until the completion of this period. In addition, until they are 14 days past their final dose of an FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccine, they will also be required to wear masks indoors when with other people and outdoors if unable to maintain 3 feet of social distance.
Required Health Measures for Students with Approved Exemptions: Unvaccinated students who have approved exemptions will not be excluded from campus. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on an individual basis and generally, unvaccinated students will be required to wear a mask when in public settings and within indoor classrooms and outdoors whenever physical distancing of at least 3 feet cannot be maintained. The University is still assessing whether unvaccinated students will be enrolled in asymptomatic COVID testing.
On-Campus and Local Vaccination Clinics: Students who are unable to access a COVID-19 vaccine or who are vaccinated with non-FDA-EUA/WHO-EUL vaccines will be able to access the vaccine soon after arrival at Brown either on campus or at local vaccination clinics. Those who do not have approved exemptions and are not planning for or in the process of vaccination or revaccination will not be permitted to access campus.
We are excited to welcome students back for the Fall 2021 semester and look forward to returning to more traditional in-person operations. We ask that any questions regarding the information shared here be directed to University Health Services at nursing@health.brown.edu.
Best regards,
Eric Estes, Ph.D
Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services
Andrew G. Campbell, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School
Vanessa Britto, M.D., M.Sc., FACP
Associate Vice President for Campus Life