The University of Cincinnati has updated its COVID vaccine policy.
After UC President Neville G. Pinto wrote on Aug. 24 that they were "thoughtfully studying" whether or not to implement mandatory vaccines for students and staff, the school has decided to move forward with the requirement.
On Sept. 1, UC posted to its website:
In response to last week’s full FDA approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the University of Cincinnati will require students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The university is taking this step to promote the health and safety of our university community. Research shows vaccines are the most effective form of protection against COVID-19.
The deadline for all UC students, faculty and staff to have at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is October 15, 2021. Those receiving a two-dose sequence must have received the second dose by November 15, 2021. All World Health Organization endorsed vaccines, including those in the U.S. made by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, will fulfill the vaccine requirement. Booster shots may also be required in the future.
And to encourage vaccination, UC is taking a Vax-a-Million-style drawing approach by offering weekly $2,500 or $5,000 awards to enrolled students in the fall semester who have completed their COVID vaccine and voluntarily submitted proof. Faculty and staff are also eligible for $2,500 awards.
Proof of vaccination can be submitted at uccovidcheck.uc.edu.
If students or staff are unable to get the first dose of the vaccine by Oct. 15, UC says they will have to get a COVID PCR test once a week and wear a mask when indoors or unable to maintain social distance until they start the vaccination process.
Those students who aren't vaccinated before spring semester will be required to attend classes online, and disciplinary measures may be taken for students and staff who have not been vaccinated and have not been granted an exemption.
The school lists "medical reasons or sincerely held reasons of conscience or religious beliefs" as grounds for vaccine exemption, with a process for applying coming soon.
Masks will still be required on campus regardless of vaccination status.
Xavier University and Miami University are also requiring COVID vaccines.
Xavier students must have started the vaccine process by Oct. 18 and received their second dose of the vaccine by Jan. 3, 2022 to be able to attend spring classes.
Miami says, "By Monday, October 25, 2021, all full- and part-time faculty and staff and all undergraduate and graduate students who will have any presence on any Miami University campus or university-owned or -controlled property must have begun the vaccination process with at least one dose. Full courses of WHO-approved vaccines will also be accepted for international students. The full dose must be completed by Monday, November 22, 2021."
To help get people become vaccinated against the virus, free vaccines will be available to the "Miami community" from 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays at the Armstrong Student Center. No appointments are necessary. There will also be vaccines available to all students, employees and their spouses/dependents via Health Services at the Oxford campus. Call 513-529-3000 to schedule.
Xavier is also offering COVID-19 vaccines at its Health Services building by calling 513-745-3022 (option 3).
UC Health's COVID vaccination center (3120 Burnet Ave., Suite 105, Clifton) is open Tuesday through Saturday and appointments aren't required, but can expedite the process. Visit uchealth.com for more.
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