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Immunization Compliance

Immunization Compliance Requirements

New York State Public Health Law requires that all college and university students enrolled for at least six (6) semester hours or the equivalent per semester, or at least four (4) semester hours per quarter to submit proof/documentation of immunization for measles, mumps, rubella and meningococcal disease. This is required to access campus.

These diseases are highly contagious, and can present serious health problems. With proper immunizations, these diseases can be controlled. For detailed information on the NYS Public Health Laws 2165 and 2167, please visit the NYS Department of Health website. You can also find out more about NYS Public Health Law 2164 and Adult Immunization

For the fall 2021 semester, Pace University will also require all students who will be on campus (e.g., residential, commuter, and online students who plan to use University facilities) to receive, and to provide proof of having received, a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use emergency use by the the US Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization by August 1, 2021. Students who fail to provide such documentation are not permitted to physically access Pace campuses.

Proof of Immunization

All students that will physically access campus must submit proof of vaccination through the University Health Care Patient Portal.

REQUIRED VACCINES

MMR Vaccination

Acceptable proof of immunization must include one or more of the following:

Record of vaccination documenting:

  • Two (2) doses of measles given after your first birthday and at least 28 days apart (the first dose is considered Day 0)

  • Mumps: 1 dose after first birthday

  • Rubella: 1 dose after first birthday

OR

A report of the results of a blood antibody titer test, for immunity for measles, mumps and rubella. All students must provide exact dates of receiving the MMR vaccine or a copy of the immune titer.

Meningitis Certification

Students must document that they either have received the meningitis vaccine within the last 5 years or have declined to receive it. Students that decline the vaccine must complete and submit a meningitis waiver signed by the student or student’s parent or guardian, via the University Health Care Patient Portal. The meningitis waiver can be found on the University Health Care Patient Portal under "forms."

COVID-19 Vaccination

Three COVID-19 vaccinations have been granted Emergency Use Authorization to date by the US Food and Drug Administration: Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. Documentation of any of the three will be acceptable for students to fully satisfy the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

For students who may be receiving vaccinations outside of the US, the University will accept documentation of COVID-19 vaccines for which the World Health Organization has issued an Emergency Use Listing. Anyone not vaccinated will participate in a more rigorous COVID-19 community testing schedule.

The medical and religious exemption criteria for New York State Department of Health immunization requirements will apply to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for the 2021-22 academic year. The University will follow the same exemption rules as outlined below. The religious exemption policy and forms are available under immunization forms.

Immunization Requirement Fact Sheets and Links

IMPORTANT FACTS

New York State Public Health Law requires institutions, including colleges and universities, to make information about meningococcal meningitis available. As such, please review the important fact sheets and links below before beginning the immunization documentation process.

Accessing your vaccination records

If you lost your Vaccination Record Card or need verification of your vaccine status, you may be able to request a copy of your vaccination record.

If you are from NY, the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) is an electronic registry that maintains immunization records for New York State children and adults.

Exemptions from Immunizations

Students granted vaccine exemptions will be able to attend classes and events on campus. 

A student may be granted a medical or religious exemption from immunization requirements. Medical exemptions are completed by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, or licensed midwife caring for a pregnant student. If an outbreak of Measles, Mumps, Rubella, or COVID-19 occurs, students who have not provided proof of immunity to the circulating diseases may be prohibited from accessing campus. To apply for exemptions, students must complete the appropriate exemption form(s), print, sign, and upload the completed form to the University’s confidential Patient Portal.

Failure to Comply

Students who fail to provide proof of immunization or secure an immunization exemption as described above will not be permitted to physically access campus.

Medical Exemptions

When applying for a medical exemption, the student must complete the Medical Exemption Form. The form, must include a written certification by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner, or a licensed midwife caring for pregnancy that one or more of the required immunization(s) may be detrimental to your health. The immunization requirement may be waived until it no longer poses a health problem. The statement must specify which immunization poses the health risk, and include the length of time for the exemption. The medical exemption policy and forms are available below.

Medical Exemption to Immunization Policy

Students with a health condition that is a valid contraindication to receiving a specific vaccine may apply for a medical exemption. The exemption will either be permanent or temporary (for resolvable conditions such as pregnancy). To apply for a medical exemption, the student must have the Medical Exemption Form completed and signed by a health care provider. The health provider must specify those immunizations which may be detrimental and the length of time they may be detrimental. Completed forms should be uploaded through the University's confidential Patient Portal.

In the event of an outbreak, Pace University may exclude a student with a medical exemption from vaccination from accessing campus.

Students with temporary medical exemptions will be reviewed periodically to see if contraindications still exist.

Request for Medical Exemption: NYS Immunizations
Request for Medical Exemption: COVID-19 Vaccine

Religious Exemptions

When applying for a religious exemption, the student must complete the Religious Exemption Form. The request must include a statement that describes the beliefs in sufficient detail to permit the institution to determine that (1) the beliefs are religious in nature (not philosophical or political) and (2) the beliefs are genuinely and sincerely held. The religious exemption policy and form are available here.

Religious Exemption to Immunization Policy

A student must submit a written statement that they hold religious beliefs contrary to the practice of immunization in order to qualify for a religious exemption. Students under 18 years old must submit such a statement signed by his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) to qualify for religious exemption.

This statement must demonstrate that the student, or their parent(s) or guardian(s) holds sincere and genuine religious beliefs which are contrary to the practice of immunization. Each statement requesting a religious exemption must be specific to Pace University. Prior religious exemption statements addressed to other institutions are not considered valid. Public Health Law Section 2165 does not allow for philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological exemptions.

When a religious exemption is requested, Pace University may require additional supporting documentation. You will be notified of the outcome of this request.

Please provide a written statement addressing all of the following elements:

  1. Explain, in your own words, why you are requesting this religious exemption.
  2. Describe the religious principles that guide your objection to immunization.
  3. Indicate whether you are opposed to all immunizations, and if not, the religious basis that prohibits particular immunizations.

Your name, U ID #, and date of birth must be clearly printed on the top of your letter. Sign the bottom if you are over 18 years old; if younger than 18 please have your parents sign the letter.

In the event of an outbreak, Pace University may exclude a student with religious exemptions from vaccination from accessing campus.

Request for Religious Exemption: NYS Immunizations
Request for Religious Exemption: COVID-19 Vaccine

Important Immunization Forms

Submitting Documentation and Key Dates

ALL IMMUNIZATION RECORDS AND ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY HEALTH CARE'S CONFIDENTIAL PATIENT PORTAL.

Please review the instructions on how to submit immunization records (PDF) online through University Health Care's confidential Patient Portal.

Copy, download, print, and sign all necessary proof of documentation of the student’s immunization record before accessing the patient portal.

REQUIRED SUBMISSION DATES:

  • Spring semester deadline: December 1
  • Summer Session One deadline: May 1
  • Summer Session Two deadline: June 1
  • Fall semester deadline: August 1

Please allow up to 7 business days for immunization document submissions to be reviewed and your account updated. Students will be notified by email when documents have been reviewed.

  • Questions? Contact Medicat Compliance Services by email at complianceservices@medicat.com with questions regarding your immunization document submission.

Immunization Frequently Asked Questions

    • Students: Pace University is requiring all students—undergraduate, graduate, law, and those enrolled in continuing education programs—to be fully vaccinated to access campus (both residential and non-residential buildings) for the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters. Students who are taking courses entirely online and have no plans to come to any Pace campus are not subject to these requirements. 
    • Faculty and Staff: Though not currently required, Pace University strongly urges all faculty and staff to get vaccinated as soon as they can and to submit proof of their vaccination. All employees are entitled to four hours of paid leave for vaccination appointments. Further vaccination requirements for faculty and staff will be communicated via Pace email. 

  • We want as many people as possible within the Pace Community to be vaccinated against COVID-19 because the health and safety of our community is our priority. We want to get back to more in-person classes, more in-person events and opportunities, and more of a typical college experience. By prioritizing the health and safety of our community, we protect ourselves, protect each other, and help the community get back to a more normal campus.

  • The deadline for submitting your COVID-19 vaccination record is August 1, 2021. If you have already uploaded proof of vaccination to the University’s confidential Patient Portal, you will not need to re-submit your documentation.  Follow the steps below to share your vaccination record with the University:

    • Use your Pace credentials to log in to the confidential Patient Portal
    • Select “Immunizations”in the top navigation bar and then select “Enter Dates”
    • Scroll down to find the type of COVID-19 vaccine you received (e.g., Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Sinovac)
    • Input the dates of your vaccine dose(s) and press “Submit”

    Once you’ve input the dates of your vaccination, you’ll need to upload an image or digital copy of your vaccine card. To do this, follow these instructions: 

    • Select “Upload” in the top navigation bar
    • Scroll down and select “COVID-19 Vaccination Documentation” from the dropdown menu
    • Select the correct file from your computer and press “Submit”

      Please note, it can take between up to seven days for your vaccination record to be reviewed and approved by health professionals.
    • Students requesting an exemption for religious reasons will be required to upload and submit their completed Religious Exemption form (PDF). Please note that a religious exemption is not the same as a philosophical, moral, or conscientious exemption.  
    • Students requesting an exemption for medical reasons will be required to upload and submit the Medical Exemption form (PDF) and a statement from your healthcare provider explaining the medical contraindication and the time period for which the exemption is being requested. Medical exemptions will be reviewed annually and a new form must be submitted each year through the confidential Patient Portal. 
    • Emailed requests for exemption will not be considered. All requests for exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement must be formally submitted using one of the two forms listed above. 
      • Once you’ve fully completed your chosen form, please upload the scanned document to the confidential Patient Portal using the “Upload” button in the top navigation bar and selecting the correct form type from the dropdown menu below. 

  • If you are an international student, you will be able to upload your record of receiving any World Health Organization-approved vaccine (e.g., AstraZeneca, Sinovac). If you were unable to be vaccinated in your home country, we will help you to get a vaccine upon your arrival in the United States. More information will follow in the coming weeks. 

  • Yes. 

  • With expanded vaccine production, appointments are now much more readily available throughout the region. We understand from medical experts that the best vaccine is the one that you’re able to get. A page on our website lists any special vaccine availability for the Pace Community. Appointments are available from New York State, New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The national Vaccine Finder can help you locate availability anywhere in the country, including at pharmacies and medical centers. Your local hospitals or clinics may have their own signup processes. 

  • For Fall 2021, the current expectation is that vaccinated people will still need to wear a mask and physically distance. However, we anticipate the ability to increase capacity of many of our indoor and outdoor spaces as a result of this vaccination requirement. Additionally, we anticipate our guest policies in the residence halls can be relaxed further. We will confirm changes like these throughout the summer to give you a better understanding of the positive changes you can expect in the fall semester. If research and CDC guidance indicates we can adjust other precautions such as face covering requirements and physical distancing, that information will be announced to the community.

  • For Spring 2021 and Summer Sessions 2021, yes. While we anticipate our Fall 2021 testing plans may include a random 25% community testing approach, this may be dictated by the positivity rate and concern of variants when we get closer to the fall semester. Further guidance regarding Fall 2021 will be communicated at a later date.

  • To date, the FDA has authorized three vaccines for emergency use in the United States; these vaccines also have been recommended for use by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Pace University has made this announcement five months ahead of the start of the fall semester so that students and their families have the opportunity to gather information, consult with their health care providers if they so choose, and make informed choices for themselves.

  • New York State is regularly expanding vaccine eligibility. Effective April 6, 2021, all adult New Yorkers—that’s everyone 16 and older—will be eligible to get vaccinated. (Only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for 16 and older; Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are approved for 18 and older.) Use New York State's eligibility tool to see if you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and to schedule an appointment.

  • Vaccines are available at pharmacies, hospitals, local health departments and Federally Qualified Health Centers statewide – please contact your provider of choice to schedule your vaccine appointment.

    Additionally, New York State runs vaccine distribution sites. To determine eligibility and schedule an appointment at one of these sites, use the Am I Eligible app. Remember: The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses for effectiveness. For these vaccines, second-dose appointment will be scheduled automatically at the time you receive your first vaccine dose. Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine requires only one dose.

    There are a few steps to receiving your vaccination:

  • When you get vaccinated, you are helping to protect yourself and your family and friends. You are also helping to make your community safer. In clinical studies, both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were more than 94% effective and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine was 66.3% effective in clinical trials at preventing laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 illness in people who had no evidence of prior infection 2 weeks after receiving the vaccine. Early evidence suggests that Johnson & Johnson's Janssen COVID-19 vaccine might provide protection against asymptomatic infection, which is when a person is infected by the virus that causes COVID-19 but does not get sick.  CDC will continue to provide updates as we learn more about how well these vaccines work in real-world conditions. They were also shown to be safe and that you cannot get COVID-19 from them. Learn more about the available COVID-19 vaccines on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

  • Yes! Even after you are vaccinated, you will still need to practice these important COVID-19 prevention steps: stay home if you are sick, wash your hands, wear a face covering, and keep physical distance from others.

  • Once you have received the correct amount of doses of the vaccine (vaccine dosages vary by manufacturer), upload your vaccination status into the University Health Care’s confidential Patient Portal. View more information about vaccination records.

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not issued guidance that vaccinated individuals should not be tested. All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be highly, but not 100%, effective at preventing COVID-19. All University community members accessing campus will be required to participate in regular community testing. The vaccine will not result in a false positive COVID-19 test.

  • Yes. If you’ve been fortunate enough to receive both vaccinations before or during the semester, you must still follow all of the COVID-19 precautions including (but not limited to) wearing a face covering, maintaining distance, COVID-19 testing requirements, guest policies, and so forth. The CDC has stated there is not enough information to change the current recommendations: “Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before making that decision. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision.”