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 2. Healthy at tufts
 3. Covid 19 vaccinations tufts




COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION

Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
Student COVID-19 Vaccination policy
Vendor & Affiliate Vaccination Policy
How to Get Your Vaccine
Already Received the Vaccine?
Resources
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
OVERALL GUIDANCE

While the vaccine rollout continues, Tufts urges all community members to
continue with public health measures until further notice. This includes wearing
a mask inside, completing the daily health survey before coming to campus,
participating in routine surveillance testing, and following guidance on
isolation and quarantine. And remember, if you are feeling sick, please stay
home and seek the advice of a medical professional. See the latest COVID-19
campus protocols. 

VACCINE POLICY AND REQUIREMENTS

Faculty & Staff 
Due to the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, the rising number
of positive cases in the state and across the US, the current vaccination
rates on our campuses, and our responsibility to the Tufts community, Tufts
University is now requiring vaccination against COVID-19 for ALL faculty, staff,
vendors, and affiliates. By August 31, all faculty, staff, affiliates, and
vendors must provide evidence that they have been vaccinated, have begun the
vaccination sequence, or are in the process of seeking a medical or religious
accommodation. A declination of vaccination will no longer be approved by the
university. By September 30, all faculty, staff, affiliates, and vendors must
have completed the vaccination sequence or obtained a medical or religious
accommodation. Read the Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

Students 
Students (including undergraduate, graduate, professional, and non-traditional
students) will need to be vaccinated prior to participating in on-campus classes
or activities. For students in the School of Arts and Sciences (including the
SMFA), School of Engineering, Fletcher School, School of Medicine, Graduate
School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, Friedman School, and
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, the deadline for vaccination was July 1.
We will assist students who have limited access to vaccine in meeting this
requirement shortly after their arrival on campus. Like other vaccine
requirements in place for students, medical and religious accommodations will be
considered. Read the Student COVID-19 Vaccination policy.

International Students
Tufts is requiring students to be vaccinated, but we understand that students
arriving from international locations may have difficulty accessing the
vaccine. Tufts will assist these students in receiving the vaccine after they
arrive on campus in the fall. Tufts is following the guidance of the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which currently requires individuals who are
not fully vaccinated and are arriving from international locations to quarantine
for 7 days. While in the quarantine period, students will need to stay in their
rooms, and participate in activities virtually. After the 7-day quarantine
period, students can participate fully in all campus activities, even as they
are completing the vaccine series. It is possible that CDC guidance will change
before the start of the fall semester, in which case, Tufts policies may adapt.

Accepted Vaccines 
All vaccines approved by the FDA for EUA (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson &
Johnson) will be accepted. For those who were vaccinated outside the United
States, WHO-approve vaccinations will be accepted. Individuals who have been
vaccinated outside of the United States with a non-WHO-approved vaccine, may
seek consultation with Occupational Health for possible consideration of
vaccination with an FDA-EUA-designated vaccine. 

If you have any questions or concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, please
talk to your trusted medical provider.


HOW TO GET YOUR VACCINE

Vaccination against COVID-19 is an extremely important public health measure,
and achieving high levels of vaccination coverage globally will help the world
return to a post-pandemic normal. A high vaccination rate within the Tufts
community, particularly amongst students, faculty, and staff will help us return
to full in-person campus life this fall.

Tufts will be holding the following on-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinics in the
upcoming weeks: 

September 12, 19, 26; October 3: Medford/Somerville Campus 
Hours: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Location: 51 Winthrop St., Medford

We will be offering the Pfizer vaccine. These clinics are for Tufts students,
faculty, and staff who have not begun their vaccination sequence, who need their
second shots, or who qualify for an additional vaccine per CDC guidance. Please
see the following CDC guidance and consult with your health care provider to
learn if you currently qualify. 

All appointments will be walk-in only; no pre-registration is required. Please
bring your Tufts ID with you. If this will be your second shot or booster shot,
please bring your CDC vaccination card. 

After receiving your second dose of the vaccine, you will be required to submit
proof of vaccination to the university. This will not be done for you. Please
follow the instructions in the below section. Uploaded COVID-19 vaccine
documentation will be verified by the Office of the Infection Control Health
Director. All information will be kept confidential.


IN MASSACHUSETTS

If you are living in Massachusetts and wish to be vaccinated against COVID-19,
please pre-register at VaccineSignUp.mass.gov to be notified when you are
eligible to schedule an appointment at one of the state’s current mass
vaccination locations.

 * Sign up for vaccine appointments
 * Vax finder
 * MA vaccine finder
 * MA COVID vaccine help
 * City of Boston “Equity in Vaccine Access Line”


OUTSIDE MASSACHUSETTS

If you are living outside Massachusetts, but in the United States, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers links to a nationwide
VaccineFinder as well as to your state’s Department of Health.

If you are living outside the USA, please check your local and national public
health agency.


QUESTIONS & ACCOMMODATIONS

Students:

 * Massachusetts students must provide documentation of immunization, according
   to school requirements, or submit a medical accommodation or religious
   accommodation.
    
 * Medical accommodations come from the student’s primary healthcare provider or
   medical specialist and must document a contraindication—the reason why an
   individual cannot medically receive the vaccine. Medical
   accommodation requests will be reviewed by Health Service.
    
 * Religious accommodations are reviewed and approved by the Office of Equal
   Opportunity (OEO). Students requesting religious accommodation must complete
   the OEO Immunization Accommodation Form and will also be required to submit a
   letter from their religious/spiritual leader confirming their sincerely held
   religious belief and the nexus between that and their request for a covid
   vaccine waiver as a religious accommodation. Please contact Nadra Sultan
   at Nadra.Sultan@tufts.edu with questions.

 Faculty and Staff:

 * If you have questions about the vaccine, please email Occupational Health


ALREADY RECEIVED THE VACCINE?

Keep your vaccination card or record safe and make a copy for your files. You
never know when the card might be required in the future.

If you have been vaccinated outside of Tufts, please follow the guidance below.
Sharing that you have been vaccinated helps us to estimate the number of doses
we will need as supplies increase. It will also help us understand the level of
protection in our community, so we can make decisions about future policies and
protocols.


STUDENTS

Medford/Somerville/SMFA students should upload documentation through Tufts
University’s Health and Wellness Patient Portal. Once submitted, documentation
will be verified for accuracy and completeness by Health Service staff within 10
business days. All documentation will be kept confidential.

Boston/Grafton students should submit documentation to SAHA-Imm-Admin@tufts.edu.
Once submitted, documentation will be verified for accuracy and completeness in
collaboration with the Office of the University Infection Control Health
Director. All documentation will be kept confidential.


FACULTY AND STAFF

Please upload documentation of your COVID-19 vaccination into Tufts’
HIPAA-compliant Qualtrics application. Uploaded COVID-19 vaccine documentation
will be verified by the Office of the Infection Control Health Director. All
information will be kept confidential.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The following links provide more information which answer many common questions
about the COVID-19 vaccine.

 * COVID-19 Real-Time Learning Network (Centers for Disease Control and
   Prevention (CDC) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA))
 * COVID-19 Vaccination (CDC)
 * COVID-19 Vaccine Safe During Pregnancy (American Journal of Managed Care)
 * COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Data Overview (American Academy of
   Family Physicians Foundation)
 * COVID-19 Vaccines: What Are Your Concerns? (IDSA)
 * Here's Why Viral Vector Vaccines Don't Alter DNA (MedPage Today)
 * How Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines Work (printable infographic, PDF)
 * Johnson & Johnson Vaccine And Blood Clots: What You Need To Know
 * Religion and Vaccines (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)
 * Understanding Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines (Centers for Disease Control and
   Prevention)
 * Wondering about COVID-19 vaccines if you’re pregnant or considering
   pregnancy? (Harvard Health Publishing)


FAQS

To help you better understand this vaccine, we have developed the following
answers to some frequently asked questions.

What is the consequence of non-compliance with the university’s vaccination
policy? 

Faculty, staff, vendors, and affiliates who do not provide a record of
vaccination or receive a medical or religious accommodation will not be allowed
to work in-person on campus. Managers will work with Human Resources and those
not in compliance to determine if other work arrangements are possible, as
identified in the Flexible Work Options Policy. However, if the job function
requires the employee to work on-site, further action for non-compliance will be
taken. This may include unpaid leave, suspension or other discipline, up to and
including termination

Why is the university now requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all faculty, staff,
vendors, and affiliates as well as students? 

With the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant leading to rapidly
increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts and across the United
States, it is imperative that we evaluate our policies and make sure we are
doing everything possible to keep our community safe. Vaccination against
COVID-19 is the single most important measure that we can do to protect
ourselves and others, especially vulnerable members of our community. These
vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing severe infection,
hospitalization, and death—this is true even for the Delta variant.  

This spring, we had hoped that we would be able to reach a high rate of
vaccination among our campus populations and ensure a safe environment for all.
Unfortunately, due to the emergence of the Delta variant and the relatively
low response to the request for documentation, we have not achieved a high
enough rate of vaccination on our campuses.  

Will Tufts University be holding COVID-19 vaccination clinics on-campus?

Yes, Tufts will be holding vaccine clinics at 62R Talbot Avenue on the
Medford/Somerville campus and at locations to be announced on the Boston Health
Sciences and Grafton campuses in August and September 2021. We will post dates,
times, and locations on this website and in Tufts Announcements.  

How do the COVID-19 vaccines work?

The COVID-19 vaccines are injected into a person’s upper arm, much like a flu
vaccine or other shot. The COVID-19 vaccine comes in two doses, spaced a few
weeks apart. The first shot provides some protection against infection, and the
second shot increases the effectiveness of that protection. 

Are there different COVID-19 vaccines and, if so, which one should I get?

There are currently three COVID-19 vaccines which have been authorized by the
FDA under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). One is manufactured by Pfizer,
one by Moderna, and one by Johnson and Johnson. Because all three of these
vaccines are highly effective, public health officials recommend that people
receive take whichever vaccine is available.

None of the vaccines available in the United States are associated with any
serious adverse reactions.

Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine is a single dose. The Pfizer and Moderna
vaccines require two doses to achieve the maximum immunity response. The second
dose of the Pfizer vaccine is typically scheduled to be administered 21 days
after the first dose. The second dose of the Moderna vaccine is typically
scheduled to be administered 28 days after the first dose.

Do I need both doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for them to be
effective?

Yes, the vaccines have only been studied for efficacy after two doses. Maximum
immunity develops up to 2 weeks after the second dose of the vaccine.

You have to take the same vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) that was given on the
first dose for proven efficacy.

Phase 3 clinical trials of both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines found the
efficacy to be up to 95% for preventing COVID-19, compared with placebo.
Vaccines prevented both mild and severe disease in these trials. This is a very
high level of effectiveness, comparable to other extremely effective vaccines
such as those for chickenpox and measles.

Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Emergency Use Authorization
(EUA) for these three vaccines after they met rigorous safety and efficacy
standards. The data support their safety: neither the Pfizer nor Moderna
vaccines have reported any widespread or permanent serious adverse effects.

You cannot get COVID-19 from either Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson
vaccines.

What are the reported side effects of the available COVID-19 vaccines?

The most commonly reported side effect was soreness at the site of the
injection. The other common side effects, in up to 2% of recipients, were
temporary symptoms such as fatigue, body aches, chills or fevers. These symptoms
are more common after the second dose and usually resolve within 1-3 days.

Are there any reported allergic reactions to these vaccines and are any a
contra-indication of getting the vaccines?

All vaccines require caution in persons with a history of severe allergic
reactions to vaccines or injectable therapy. The CDC describes severe allergic
reaction as anaphylaxis and/or one requiring an EpiPen and/or hospitalization
after any other vaccine or injectable therapy. People who have a history of
anaphylactic reactions to any substance will be observed for 30 minutes (rather
than the typical 15 minutes) after each dose of the vaccine.

Common allergens (i.e., nuts, fish, eggs) are NOT listed in the ingredients for
either vaccine and thus do not pose a problem to individuals receiving
vaccination. The vaccines and their vials do not contain latex, so it can be
administered to persons with a history of latex allergies.

There are no known reactions or interactions between oral medications and the
vaccines.

The only risk known to be associated with blood thinners is the small risk of
bleeding at the injection site.

None of the EUA-approved vaccines have any reported widespread or permanent,
serious, negative effects on persons receiving these vaccines. It is known from
the history of other vaccines that adverse reactions will almost always be seen
within two weeks after vaccine.

What is the efficacy of the vaccines on the new variants?

Vaccines may have some decreased efficacy against the new variants; however,
research is ongoing. While there may be a reduced antibody response, vaccines
are likely to stimulate cell-mediated immunity, which will have some efficacy
against new variants. 

What is the effect of the vaccines on fertility, pregnancy or breast feeding?

There is no evidence or scientific concern that the vaccine could impact
fertility. 

These vaccines have not been studied in pregnant women. However, we know that
pregnant individuals who contract COVID-19 are five times more likely to have
serious side effects from the virus. They are also more likely to have pre-term
births. Therefore, pregnant women should consult their obstetricians when
considering, and prior to receiving, the vaccinee. 

Since the vaccine does not contain the virus, the Society for Maternal-Fetal
Medicine reports that there is no reason to believe that the vaccines affect the
safety of breastmilk. In addition, antibodies formed from the vaccine pass
through a mother’s milk, conferring some protection on the infant. 

Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have had COVID-19 or received the monoclonal
antibodies or convalescent serum?

Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19.
Being vaccinated after having COVID-19 will boost your immunity against
reinfection. If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or
convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you
have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Will my DNA be affected by receiving a vaccine?

No. None of the available COVID-19 vaccines will alter your body’s DNA. 

If I am vaccinated, do I still need to follow COVID-19 mitigation measures?

Yes, available vaccines prevent serious illness and death; however, vaccination
does not prevent infection or prevent you from passing the virus on to others.
Until more data are available, even vaccinated people will need to think of
themselves as possible spreaders.

We can best think of vaccines as another layer of protection or mitigation
measure. For the time being, Tufts’ policies around mask wearing, physical
distancing, break room etiquette, participating in COVID-19 surveillance testing
(frequency defined by job description), hand hygiene, essential only travel, and
participating in contact and isolation protocols will remain unchanged.

Which vaccines are accepted by Tufts University?

All vaccines approved by the FDA for EUA (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson &
Johnson) will be accepted. For those who were vaccinated outside the United
States, WHO-approved vaccinations will be accepted. Individuals who have been
vaccinated outside of the United States with a non-WHO-approved vaccine, may
seek consultation with Occupational Health for possible consideration of
vaccination with an FDA-EUA-designated vaccine.  


POST-VACCINATION INFORMATION

After I get the second dose of the vaccine, can I stop wearing a face mask,
physical distancing and frequent hand washing?

After receiving the vaccine, you must continue to wear a face mask, practice
physical distancing, and continue good hand hygiene practices. This will
continue to reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus, becoming
infected, and spreading it to others. In addition, you must continue to
participate in university-mandated COVID-19 surveillance as well as follow all
university quarantine and isolation protocols. 

After I get the vaccine, what medications can I take for injection site pain,
headache or achiness?

It is recommended that you take acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as directed by the
manufacturer, for fever, aches and pains, or headache after the vaccination.
Most people have no symptoms after receiving the vaccine. Only take
Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen if you really need it.

If I have questions after getting the vaccine, whom should I contact?

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1. Those with
symptoms that need evaluation off hours and do not have other options should go
to the nearest emergency room.

All Tufts faculty, staff, employees (including dental residents and
post-doctoral fellows) with questions after vaccination or who are
experiencing adverse events or side effects should call their PCP. For
after-hours questions, students may use their PCP’s on-call service or,
alternatively, Tufts University employee health plans all include Telehealth
services for 24/7 access to non-emergency medical care via Tufts Health Plan
Teledoc.

Dental and Medical students with questions after vaccination or who are
experiencing adverse events or side effects should call their PCP. For
after-hours questions, students may use their PCP’s on-call service. Tufts
Student Health plan includes 24/7 Telehealth access
via http://go.healthiestyou.com/student/. Those not enrolled in the Tufts
Student Health plan should consult their health insurance policies to understand
after-hours care options.

Medford/Somerville/SMFA students graduate and undergraduate, including Fletcher
students with questions after vaccination or who are experiencing adverse events
or side effects please call Tufts Health Service at (617) 627-3350. For
after-hours questions, students may use the Health Service’s on-call service.
Tufts Student Health plan includes 24/7 Telehealth access
via http://go.healthiestyou.com/student/. Those not enrolled in the Tufts
Student Health plan should consult their health insurance policies to understand
after-hours care options.

Tufts University Brighter World




CONTACT

Tufts University
1 The Green
Ballou Hall
Medford, MA 02155

covidtesting@tufts.edu
617.627.5000

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