Covid-19 Vaccination Policy
Purpose
With the improving state of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been changes to federal, state and local COVID-19 vaccination mandates that directly affect Thomas Jefferson University students.
Policy Statement
The University requires students who are enrolled in programs with clinical or experiential learning requirements (i.e., activities involving patient exposure or activities within a healthcare or experiential learning facility) to have completed the COVID-19 primary vaccination series. All new students who are not enrolled in such programs are no longer required to have completed the COVID-19 primary vaccination series as per the Philadelphia Department of Health.
The University continues to adhere to public health guidelines in an ongoing effort to keep the campus community safe and healthy and reserves the right to impose additional measures as necessary and/or as legally required.
Scope
This policy applies to all Jefferson students.
Components
Exemptions
For information on requesting a religious or medical exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement please see the Vaccination Exemption Policy.
Compliance
Incoming Students
Students in health-oriented programs with clinical and/or experiential learning requirements will be prompted to submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination or to file for a medical or religious exemption. Incoming students should submit vaccine information with their Medical Records. Students are highly encouraged to submit requests for religious or medical exemptions early, and prior to the commencement of the term, so that requests may be reviewed and determined in advance of the start of the academic year. Non-compliance may impact a student’s academic progression and may violate the University’s Community Standards.
Clinical Rotations & Experiential Learning
This policy pertains to the University’s students in health-oriented programs who will engage in clinical or experiential learning. Students should be advised that they may be subject to different vaccination regulations for non-Jefferson clinical rotation placements or academic experiences, including requirements to be “up-to-date” with their COVID-19 vaccinations. (“Up-to-date” is defined by CDC as having completed a COVID-19 primary vaccination series and the most recent booster.) As a result, students are strongly encouraged to become “up-to-date” in anticipation of rotating at one or more of these outside training locations.
If you are a student in a program requiring clinical rotations or experiential learning and have received an exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine, please note that some of our partners may choose not to accept students who are unvaccinated. If this occurs, the University will endeavor to find students a suitable placement in a setting that does not require the COVID-19 vaccine. However, this may result in a delay in the completion of your required hours, which may lead to deceleration or delayed graduation.