Effective December 6, 2021, the University of Pittsburgh will require all Pitt affiliates on all campuses to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption. This includes:
- Faculty (including full-time, part-time, and adjunct)
- Staff (including full-time, part-time, and temporary)
- Students
To be fully vaccinated an individual must have completed a primary COVID-19 series of vaccine doses as authorized or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO). If added vaccine doses are later designated a part of any vaccine sequence by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FDA or WHO, each student, staff and faculty member must be compliant with that change.
The most successful and sustainable approach to keeping our community healthy and safe is one that utilizes vaccination as a condition of studying or working on our campuses. By enforcing this requirement now, we will be able to maintain a high immunization rate on our campuses, while continuing to support our students and research, as well as protect our workforce, with minimal disruption to our programs, activities, or operations.
Failure to upload proof of vaccination or have an approved exemption on file will result in the following:
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Students enrolled in classes but fail to provide proof or obtain an exemption will be disenrolled.
Faculty, staff and postdocs will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the University’s disciplinary guidelines, including loss of access to electronic resources and other disciplinary actions up to and including termination of employment.
This is an interim policy. A formal charter and committee are being formed to create a permanent policy.
Guests, vendors, and volunteers on campus are not required to be vaccinated to visit our campuses. Students hosting overnight guests in their residence halls must complete the guest/visitor request available in the Johnstown Campus Housing & Dining Services task center on the Pitt portal.
Exemptions
Faculty, staff, and students can request an exemption from this vaccine requirement now. Exemption requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) and can only be requested for medical reasons, or reasons based on sincerely held religious belief or because of a strong moral or ethical conviction. Faculty, staff, and students who are granted an exemption will be subject to additional mitigation measures, such as routine COVID-19 testing. (Please note the exemption request must be submitted to the OED at the Pittsburgh campus no individuals on the Johnstown campus are involved in the exemption request process. Once your exemption request materials are in order, click on the "SUBMIT AN EXEMPTION REQUEST" link below)
Medical exemptions require a doctor’s signature. Religious and moral exemptions require a notarized attestation. Download and print one of the following forms:
- Download and print the Medical Attestation Form
- Download and print the Moral Attestation Form
- Download and print the Religious Attestation Form
A photo or scan of the signed or notarized form must be uploaded to the Exemption Request Form online.
Before requesting an exemption, please review the following recommended eLearning resources:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is everyone covered by this policy?
The University requires every faculty member, staff member, and student to comply with the policy. Guests, vendors, and volunteers do not need to submit proof of vaccination or submit an exemption request. Students hosting overnight guests in their residence halls must complete the guest/visitor request available in the Johnstown Campus Housing & Dining Services task center on the Pitt portal (my.pitt.edu).
What documentation is required for exemption?
Individuals who wish to request an exemption from the vaccine must complete three steps:
- Download, print and complete one of the following forms:
- Obtain a signature from a doctor for medical forms or a notary for moral or religious forms.
- Before requesting an exemption, please review the recommended eLearning resources from the CDC referenced above.
- Upload a photo or scan of your signed or notarized document to the Exemption Request Form online.
Can I attach an additional documentation to supplement the attestation form?
Yes, you can provide additional documentation. However, all of the documentation must be saved as a single file for upload to the online exemption request.
Who can notarize a religious and moral exemption attestation form?
Any notary public may notarize these documents. A notary public commissioned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may charge $5.00 to attest a signature. If you need help getting a form notarized, please click here to request assistance:
How will I know if my exemption is approved?
OEDI will email individuals regarding the approval or denial of their request.
If I am vaccinated, how do I inform the University?
Students can upload a copy of their completed vaccination card through the University's form. Once uploaded, the card will be reviewed and if your vaccination status is verified you will be considered fully vaccinated by the University.
Can I complete my vaccine requirement exemption request through any office on campus?
No. Individuals should seek exemption approval from their primary care physician and must submit it through the vaccine requirement exemption process in the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
How will I know if my exemption is approved?
OEDI will email individuals regarding the approval or denial of their request.
Do I have to wait the full two weeks to upload my proof of vaccination?
No, you are in compliance with this policy immediately following the single dose of a one-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) or the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).
What are the vaccination requirements for new employees?
Effective December 6, 2021, all employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination or have received an exemption from the requirement prior beginning work at the University
What are the vaccination requirements for new students?
Effective December 6, 2021, all students will be required to submit proof vaccination or have received an exemption to enroll in courses.
My vaccination record is not written in English. Is an English translation required?
Yes, vaccination records must be translated to English in order for the University to validate.
Additional Information
- The Power of Pitt (University coronavirus information)