As we move forward, the health and safety of our community remains our top priority. The latest guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and American College Health Association (ACHA) all support vaccination as the best option for COVID-19 prevention.
We have learned a lot about COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. In fall 2020, many colleges and universities were hot spots for virus transmission because of the way campus life inherently puts people in close proximity to each other, including residence and dining halls, classrooms, and gatherings. With that in mind, we determined that a vaccination requirement is the best way to keep our community safe and prevent potential outbreaks as we return to more regular, in-person operations.
The University will continue to require proof of vaccination or approved exemption for all employees and students, unless the University approves a medical or religious accommodation/exception as required by applicable law.
The University will continue to accept either of the following:
- Completion of either two (2) doses of the original Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination series, OR one (1) dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccination AND a booster vaccination
- OR One dose of bivalent vaccine
Proof of vaccination must be documented through the HIPAA-compliant patient portal for both students and employees. For persons who are unable to get the COVID-19 vaccine due to medical reasons, or sincerely held religious beliefs, exemptions may be requested. Additional information can be found here.
Anyone who has received an approved COVID-19 vaccination exemption/accommodation, or who may still be in the process of finishing their vaccination series, may be required to complete a weekly COVID-19 PCR test and report results to the Health and Wellness Clinic.
Boosters
As of February 15, 2022, all current faculty (including adjuncts), staff, students, and campus residents age 12 and over were required to have a COVID-19 vaccine and booster as part of the University’s vaccine requirement.
All students beginning classes at St. Kate's in spring 2023 are required to have all University vaccination requirements completed by January 27, 2023. Students starting in fall 2023 are required to have all immunizations completed by August 15, 2023.
Health Profession and Nursing students (or those considering these programs as a major):
Exemptions to the University’s mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy may affect your ability to be placed at clinical and fieldwork sites and may result in inability to progress in your program. All health profession students with COVID-19 vaccine exemptions are required to sign the Healthcare Student COVID-19 Exemption Acknowledgement prior to applying to the programs. For more information, please contact (studentcompliance@stkate.edu) or your program of study director
Yes. In light of the campus living environment and educational mission, a vaccination requirement offers the best protection against transmission in the campus community. Students, faculty, and staff must complete a COVID-19 vaccination series. This means:
- An individual has received two (2) doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or one (1) dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine; OR
- An individual has been vaccinated with another vaccine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO).
Documentation of vaccination will need to be uploaded to the Health and Wellness Clinic’s patient portal by:
- Clicking the “Immunizations” link.
- Entering the date(s) each dose was administered in the field(s) that correspond to the vaccine type received.
- Clicking “Submit.”
- Clicking “Upload” from the top navigation bar and following the instructions on the page to submit a copy of your vaccination card.
If you’ve lost your COVID vaccination record card, please request a duplicate copy from your health provider or the site where you received your vaccination. If you received your vaccination on campus, email immunization@stkate.edu to request a duplicate copy.
The patient portal connects to Medicat, a HIPAA-compliant electronic health record that includes an immunization compliance module we will use to collect COVID-19 vaccination information from both employees and students. Human Resources will have access to employee vaccination records, and Health and Wellness will have access to student vaccination records. Data submitted to the University will be treated as confidential consistent with and subject to applicable law.
Vaccination is a personal choice, however the University believes this requirement is in the best interest of our community. Unless a student, faculty, or staff member requests and receives a medical accommodation/exemption or exemption/accommodation based on a sincerely held religious belief, completion of a COVID-19 vaccination series must be submitted to the University.
Student Affairs will follow up with students who have not reported vaccination by the deadline, and Human Resources will follow up with faculty and staff. Students will not be allowed to start classes or move into the residence halls until they are fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption/accommodation. Employees who are not vaccinated by the deadline and do not have an approved exemption/accommodation are resigning their employment at St. Kate’s.
Per the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history.
How are COVID-19 Vaccines Made (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions About How COVID-19 Vaccines are Made (video)
The University welcomes visitors to campus for a variety of reasons, including for events and programs. We will continue to follow our current guidelines.
With limited exceptions, vaccination will be required for all students. This is consistent with the other student vaccination requirements, and takes into account schedules that may change from semester to semester.
Students enrolled in an APPROVED fully online program from matriculation to graduation* who do not need to come to campus are exempt from the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Students in online academic programs that are not approved as fully online are required to submit their vaccination documentation through the Patient Portal.
Faculty members (including adjuncts) teaching in a fully online program who do not need to come to campus and do not teach in-person at any other physical location affiliated with St. Kate's may seek an exemption from the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Faculty should contact Human Resources to request an exemption in this circumstance. Faculty teaching fully online who are already vaccinated or will be vaccinated by the deadline should submit their vaccination documentation through the Patient Portal.
If, at any time, a student or faculty member's program or course schedule changes such that the student or faculty member will be on campus or at another St. Kate's affiliated location (international or domestic global studies location, internship, clinical, or practicum placement), the student or faculty member must notify the University of this change and then are required to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
*If a fully online program requires a clinical experience component, students may be required to be vaccinated to participate.
If you have already recorded the dates of your first and second vaccination and uploaded a copy of your vaccination card into the patient portal, you have met all the necessary requirements. If you have not yet recorded your vaccination dates and uploaded a copy of your vaccination card, you still need to provide this documentation in the patient portal.
Students in the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health who have already reported vaccination as part of program requirements will also need to report their vaccination in the patient portal as outlined above
If you have additional questions and would like to speak to a healthcare provider, please email the Health and Wellness Clinic at healthwellness@stkate.edu. They will help set up a time for you to speak with a healthcare provider in person. Please note that all communications are strictly confidential, and your questions or concerns cannot be shared with anyone without your written consent, including parents or guardians.
A process for providing vaccine access upon arrival to campus is in process and will be shared when complete.