COVID Community Update — October 7, 2022

Dear St. Catherine Community,

Vaccination continues to be one of the most important tools we have in fighting COVID-19, and you are best protected when you stay up-to-date with vaccination recommendations, even if you have had COVID-19. Below is information about the latest COVID-19 booster, along with an update to the masking policy for lab and simulation settings.

 

Bivalent Boosters

Updated, bivalent booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which protect against the original strain of the virus and currently circulating Omicron variants, are now available to help restore and broaden protection. Additional information

We recommend that all members of the campus community get an updated bivalent booster dose when they are eligible to remain up-to-date with the latest CDC guidance. At this time we will not be requiring bivalent boosters for students, faculty, and staff. Masking will remain optional for fully vaccinated and boosted individuals; we strongly recommend that anyone who is eligible for but does not receive the latest booster mask while indoors.

Current public health guidance recommends that individuals age 12 and older get an updated bivalent booster at least two months after their final primary series dose or last booster.

  • The updated Pfizer booster is authorized for those age 12 and older.

  • The updated Moderna booster is authorized for those age 18 and older.

You can get the updated booster at the same visit as other vaccines, including the flu vaccine. 

Availability

While we have previously held vaccine clinics on campus, we have not been allotted any bivalent booster doses at this time and therefore do not have any clinics scheduled. There are many locations nearby offering appointments, including:

The state’s Find Vaccine Locations map is also a great resource to find vaccine providers near you.

 

Masking in Lab and Simulation Settings

Beginning Monday, October 10, 2022, the following changes will go into effect:

  • Masks will be optional for fully vaccinated and boosted individuals in lab and simulation settings when participants do not need to be in close contact with each other, such as: pre-briefing and debriefing sessions, more individualized lab experiences.

  • Masks are still required during close contact labs and simulation scenarios.

 

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Sincerely,

Safely Returning to Campus Committee Co-Chairs

Lauren Peterson, MS, MPAS, PA-C, Director, Health & Wellness Clinic

Matt Goodwin, PhD, Associate Provost for Student Affairs

Pat Pratt-Cook, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Equity and Inclusion