With relief and gratitude for all of those who helped us get through the pandemic, we announce our ability to move beyond many of the University’s COVID protocols. We continue to encourage you to make individual choices to maximize your own safety, and we continue to offer enormous respect and care for the more vulnerable among us. But the same data that has driven Fordham’s decisions all along now counsels a different path. The federal government has announced the termination of the emergency phase of the crisis as of May, thus we can move forward into the endemic stage of the virus. We make this decision after broad consultation with our community.
As of May 15, Fordham will not require members of the University community or visitors to be vaccinated against COVID. Vaccinations and boosters will continue to be strongly recommended because they remain very effective in protecting each of us individually from serious illness and death. Vaccines will no longer be required, however, because new variants increasingly have evaded the vaccine’s initially strong ability to prevent transmission of the disease. What was once a critical way to protect the most vulnerable in our community has become more of an individual choice about safety, one we urge you to take seriously.
While many of us have learned to live with the risk of COVID, it is critical that we remember the most vulnerable—to care enormously about those who beat cancer (or face other risks) and now live in fear of being felled by a virus. To state the obvious, stay home if you test positive for COVID. But not just that—we all learned some good habits about staying home when we are sick with any infectious illness. And masks remain a critical way to keep from spreading our own germs when we are sick, and a tool for those who want or need to protect themselves.
The University will continue providing COVID vaccinations and testing to students as much as we can. Schedules will be posted on the Health Services Page. Employees should see their healthcare providers.
As of May 15, the University will no longer use VitalCheck to track vaccination status, nor to report COVID cases, and members of the on-campus community will no longer receive the daily VitalCheck questionnaire via text or email.
Long before the fall semester begins, we will take a look at all other policies in consultation with the data and our community, and will announce any changes with plenty of notice. Until then, all classroom and other policies remain in effect. If you have questions about any of this, you can email vpforadministration@fordham.
I arrived after the worst of the pandemic, but I want to say how proud I am of what you collectively achieved these last grueling years. In the midst of the terrible toll the virus took on New York City, Fordham’s data shows how well it managed to provide protection on campus and to model its concern for the neighborhoods around us, and for the communities you each returned home to. After the initial lockdown, the University carefully balanced the need to teach and serve students in person against the risks.
Fordham spent millions on these efforts—for vaccines, testing, masks, infrastructure modifications, and health and safety personnel. Fordham’s faculty, administrators, and staff worked tirelessly to teach and serve students. From the ridiculous juggling act of teaching in hybrid fashion to caring for students in the residence halls, from maximizing safety in our ventilation systems to giving thousands of COVID tests—I can’t possibly list here everything you sacrificed, but it was a miracle.
Students, we are so proud and grateful for the ways you helped us through, the millions of individual choices you made to keep our community safe. You lost so much, from critical years of social engagement to precious moments like graduations, and for some of you, far worse. We look at the data on levels of anxiety and depression with enormous concern. And despite how exhausted we also are, the Fordham community comes to work every day determined to be there for you.
We will continue to be prepared for whatever the world may throw at us, while praying for a reprieve from these ridiculously difficult times. Thank you all so much.
All my best,
Tania Tetlow
President
I am writing to remind you that all University faculty, students, and staff must be up-to-date as defined by the CDC as of Tuesday, November 1, 2022—meaning individuals must receive the updated (bivalent) booster if it has been 2 months or longer since their last COVID-19 vaccine, or 90 days after recovering from a COVID-19 infection. The same standards apply to campus visitors, guest speakers, and visiting athletic teams.
Individuals may request medical or personal religious exemptions to the vaccine mandate: faculty and staff should email Human Resources at occ-health-medicine@fordham.
After the November 1 deadline, the University will be contacting any individuals who have neither provided the appropriate documentation demonstrating they are up-to-date with the vaccine, nor have received an exemption, to confirm their compliance. Individuals who continue to remain non-compliant will ultimately have their access to campus restricted.
Being up-to-date on the vaccine is particularly important because of an increase in COVID-19 infections in the UK and Europe, including the new BQ.1.1 subvariant. Public health officials believe that the infection spike in the UK and Europe presage a fall/winter wave of infections in the U.S.
Being a community that is up-to-date on vaccinations has allowed Fordham to operate largely without masking and social distancing requirements. There is an abundant body of evidence that boosters reduce the transmission of the virus. The pandemic’s lethality has been blunted because of widespread vaccination for COVID-19, but COVID-19 remains a public health threat which still has the capacity to shut down our campuses.
While being up-to-date on vaccinations is important for everyone, it is critical for people living in group settings such as University housing. The Fordham community is composed of people of all ages, and there are many faculty, staff, and students who are vulnerable for factors seen and unseen.
The University has the new updated bivalent vaccines in stock and will administer them free of charge. Individuals can walk in for vaccines at the times and locations listed on the Testing and Vaccine Resources Page. (The updated bivalent vaccines are also available in the New York City area.) Individuals who received their vaccinations off campus should upload proof of vaccination to VitalCheck by clicking on the link text “Has your vaccination status recently changed?” on the daily VitalCheck email/text message.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines both reduce illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. As flu season approaches and COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are updated, individuals should consider receiving both vaccinations at the same time if they are eligible and the timing is appropriate. The immune response and possible side effects are generally the same whether individuals receive one vaccine at a time or two, according to the CDC.
Employees with questions about Fordham’s COVID-19 policies should email vpforadministration@fordham.
As always, our policies and protocols are subject to change, based on conditions on and off campus, and any new federal, state, or local regulations.
Finally, please accept my profound thanks, and that of the University administration, to those of you who are staying up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. By doing so you are saving lives and helping to keep the members of the Fordham community healthy and safe. Your willingness to get vaccinated is cura personalis in action, and it is deeply appreciated.
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator
Accordingly, the University updated its protocols, requiring faculty, students, staff, and guests to be fully up-to-date as defined by the CDC by Tuesday, November 1, 2022. Visitors must follow the same protocol. More information is available on the COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement webpage. This message was shared with all students, faculty, staff, and parents on September 27. The University had communicated the likelihood of this update in protocol to the University community and parents since April 2022 (see the communications history below).
Individuals may still request medical or personal religious exemptions to the vaccine mandate: students should contact University Health Services; faculty and staff should email Human Resources at [email protected].
COVID-19 remains a public health threat. To the extent that the pandemic’s lethality has been blunted, it is because of widespread vaccination for COVID-19. People are still getting sick, but the percentage of those who require hospitalization or who die is much lower—this, by itself, is reason enough to require everyone on campus to be vaccinated and boosted.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 still has the capacity to shut down our campuses. While being up-to-date on vaccinations is important for everyone, it is critical for people living in group settings such as University housing. The Fordham community is composed of people of all ages, and there are many faculty and staff (and some students) who are vulnerable because of their age and other factors.
Fordham already requires proof of immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella, and meningitis—and has done so for decades. Like those diseases, COVID-19 is a public health issue, and the relevant authority is the CDC. It recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including all primary series doses and boosters for their age group.
We follow CDC guidelines because it has both access to the scientific literature and the expertise to interpret the data and make recommendations based upon it. The CDC bases its guidelines on the work of many researchers, virologists, and epidemiologists—a depth of experience and expertise beyond what can be expected from individual medical practitioners.
Vaccine manufacturers roll out new flu vaccines every year without clinical trials: likewise, the new COVID-19 vaccines, which protect against variants, is based upon established vaccines. It is rare in the history of vaccines to have so few people suffer side effects. The CDC’s vaccine safety page addresses the concerns of those who are hesitant to receive vaccines/boosters under several headings:
- Hundreds of Millions of People Have Safely Received a COVID-19 Vaccine
- Adverse Events (Serious Safety Problems) Are Rare
- The Benefits of Vaccination Outweigh the Risks
All of which can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/safety-of-vaccines.html
As an institution that practices care for the whole person, we have to follow the lead of public health authorities.
Communications History
Prior to September Fordham students, faculty, staff, and parents received the following messages via email (which were also posted to the website and social media):
- July 27, 2022: As of September 1, students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully up-to-date, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- May 6, 2022, April 28, 2022, April 20, 2022, April 13, 2022, and April 1, 2022: Fordham Vaccine Mandate: The University will continue to require all on-campus students, faculty, and staff to be fully up-to-date† on vaccinations for the 2022-2023 academic year. It may be necessary to require a second booster shot for eligible individuals beginning in September 2022. †“Up-to-date” means the individual has received a full series of COVID-19 vaccines, and a booster shot, if eligible.
New students and their parents received email regarding the vaccine requirement on June 1, 2022: “Fordham University requires all students who are taking in-person classes, living in University housing, or entering the campus for any reason to be up to date with their COVID-19 Vaccines, which currently includes one booster dose.” and on the linked page: “It may be necessary to require a second booster shot for eligible individuals for the 2022-2023 academic year.” New students and their parents received similar messages on July 29, August 23, and August 29.
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Dear Members of the Campus Community,
I am writing to give you an update on University COVID-19 protocols. I hope your fall semester is going well. I’m sure you are busy, so I will make this as brief as possible.
Vaccinations
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals 12 and older are eligible for the updated (bivalent) booster that is effective against multiple COVID variants, and in order to be considered up to date with vaccines, they should receive the updated booster if it has been 2 months or longer since their last COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals under 18 can only receive the Pfizer updated booster. The updated Moderna booster is only available for those 18 and over. Being up-to-date on the vaccine is particularly important because it will be more effective against new variants of the virus, helping us to both keep our community safe, and to function with less disruption.
The University has the new updated vaccines in stock and will administer them free of charge. You can sign up for the vaccine on the Testing and Vaccine Resources Page. (The updated vaccines are also available in the New York City area.) Members of the campus community must receive the updated vaccine as soon as they are eligible—individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days will have the deadline for compliance adjusted accordingly.
All University faculty, students, and staff must be fully up-to-date as defined by the CDC as of Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
Individuals can upload proof of vaccination to VitalCheck by clicking on the link text “Has your vaccination status recently changed?” on the daily VitalCheck email/text message.
COVID-19 and flu vaccines both reduce illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. As flu season approaches and COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are updated, individuals should consider receiving both vaccinations at the same time if they are eligible and the timing is appropriate. The immune response and possible side effects are generally the same whether individuals receive one vaccine at a time or two, according to the CDC.
Reporting a Positive Test and Contact Tracing
The methods for reporting a positive COVID-19 test remain the same, but the University has changed its contact tracing and isolation procedures. Public Safety contact tracers will contact individuals with positive tests to determine the start date of their symptoms, and advise them of isolation and masking protocols available on the Isolation and Quarantine Procedures page.
Testing
Individuals may obtain a free PCR test on campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Rose Hill Campus: First trailer in parking lot A.
- Lincoln Center Campus: Lowenstein Center, South Lounge.
For all contacts, regardless of vaccination status, quarantine is not necessarily required; however, if symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19
Faculty are not required to notify a full class about individuals in their classes who test positive. Should faculty choose to communicate with their classes, they should not identify the individual who tested positive.
Masking
New York state has relaxed its rules regarding masking on mass transit. Accordingly, masks are now suggested but not required on Ram Vans.
Employees with questions about Fordham’s COVID-19 policies should email vpforadministration@fordham.
As always, our policies and protocols are subject to change, based on conditions on and off campus, and any new federal, state, or local regulations. Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator
The University has adopted the following COVID-19 protocols for the Fall semester:
Vaccinations
As of September 1, students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully up-to-date, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Students, faculty, and staff are responsible for updating their vaccine status in VitalCheck. Employees must send their proof of vaccination to VitalCheck at [email protected] and [email protected] (student proof of vaccination should only be uploaded into VitalCheck; see detailed instructions online). VitalCheck is linked to your Fordham ID card for ease of entry to campus. VitalCheck will also display proof of vaccination on your smartphone and may serve as the campus access card.
Individuals are eligible for the first booster 5 months after the final dose of the initial series; and may be eligible for a second booster 4 months after the first booster. The University will continue to consider medical and religious accommodations for individuals who request them.
The University will resume administering free COVID-19 vaccinations on campus beginning August 1.
Testing
The University will offer on-demand testing and testing for suspected exposure, and for students only, diagnostic testing, but will discontinue surveillance and return-to-campus testing in the Fall semester. (Employees who have COVID-19 symptoms should not come to campus, but should see their healthcare providers for diagnostic testing.)
The University will continue to require weekly testing for individuals with medical or religious vaccine accommodations, or who are not yet fully up-to-date with their vaccines.
Fordham recommends that everyone returning to campus for the Fall semester take a COVID-19 test (PCR or rapid antigen) prior to arrival on campus, especially individuals who are traveling from outside of the New York metropolitan area. Anyone who receives a positive test result should complete their isolation before coming to campus. In August, the University will share testing locations and times for the Fall semester.
VitalCheck Daily Screening
Fordham will discontinue required daily screenings on VitalCheck as of August 8. VitalCheck will continue to send a daily notification which can be used to report symptoms and access telehealth appointments (particularly for employees and graduate students), but users will not have to respond to the daily affirmation to continue campus access. The University will continue to use VitalCheck to manage vaccine, testing, and isolation requirements, and for integration with the ID card system for access to campus.
Masking
On campus, masks are recommended but not required in classrooms, labs, work settings, and public spaces for individuals fully up-to-date on vaccinations. (The CDC’s mask guidelines say that individuals may “wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk.”) All individuals may wear masks in any setting if they choose to do so. Faculty may require masks in classrooms and laboratory settings, if they believe the particular circumstances warrant such measures.
- Unvaccinated individuals with an exemption must still wear masks.
- Masks remain mandatory on Ram Vans and in University Health Service locations (offices, and testing and vaccination sites).
Contact Tracing and Isolation and Quarantine
The University is evaluating the current contact tracing protocols and will advise the community when more details are available.
There are no changes to the isolation and quarantine protocols: commuter and resident students who are able to travel to their homes will be directed to isolate or quarantine at their off-campus residences. Resident students who are unable to travel home will be isolated or quarantined in designated residence hall rooms.
Students and Employees who are up-to-date with their vaccinations do not have to quarantine upon exposure, but should monitor their health and be tested 5 days post exposure, or if symptoms appear. Anyone with vaccine accommodations is required to quarantine upon exposure. Employees who become ill on campus will be provided with guidance on isolation and quarantine requirements by Human Resources.
Visitor and Guest Policies
Beginning September 1, Fordham campuses will be open to non-Fordham visitors and guests, and to Fordham-sponsored external events. All visitors 6 months of age and older are expected to be up-to-date on vaccinations, as stated above, and the University will require proof of vaccination for entry to campus. More information and details on residence hall visitation and overnight guests will be provided soon by the Offices of Residential Life.
Employees with questions about Fordham’s COVID-19 policies should email vpforadministration@fordham.
As always, our policies and protocols are subject to change, based on conditions on and off campus, and any new federal, state, or local regulations. Thank you for your support and cooperation.
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator
Fordham University COVID-19 Guidelines on the web: fordham.edu/fordhamforward
Here are the five things you need to know about Fordham’s COVID-19 precautions, vaccinations, and University operations. As of this week, the University is suspending weekly Five Things emails: it will be published on an as-needed basis through the summer.
- On-Campus Cases: In the last 7 days, 67 members of the University community tested positive for COVID-19, as listed on the University dashboard.
- The COVID-19 Alert Level in New York City is MEDIUM: See the New York City Department of Health website which outlines the appropriate precautions for each alert level.
- Commencement Vaccination Requirements: The University requires all visitors to campus (ages 5 and older) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. One booster shot is required for all guests who are eligible. Please review the COVID-19 vaccination policy for more information.
- Fordham Vaccine Mandate: The University will continue to require all on-campus students, faculty, and staff to be fully up-to-date† on vaccinations for the 2022-2023 academic year. It may be necessary to require a second booster shot for eligible individuals beginning in September 2022.
- Testing and Vaccinations at Lincoln Center are now being administered in South Lounge.
†“Up-to-date” means the individual has received a full series of COVID-19 vaccines, and a booster shot, if eligible.
Every issue of Five Things is archived on our news site: news.fordham.edu/tag/five-
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator
Fordham University COVID-19 Guidelines on the web: fordham.edu/fordhamforward
Here are the five things you need to know about Fordham’s COVID-19 precautions, vaccinations, and University operations.
- On-Campus Cases: In the last 7 days, 120 members of the University community tested positive for COVID-19, as listed on the University dashboard.
- Local Neighborhood COVID-19 Cases: Hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 are flat or down (on-campus cases have been asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic):
- Lincoln Center
- Rose Hill
- Commencement Vaccination Requirements: The University requires all visitors to campus (ages 5 and older) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. One booster shot is required for all guests who are eligible. Please review the COVID-19 vaccination policy for more information.
- Pandemic Status: Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, declared the U.S. “out of the pandemic phase” on Tuesday, and reinforced the need for vaccination against COVID-19.
- Infection-Acquired Immunity Versus Vaccination: The CDC has said that getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer and more dependable way to build immunity to COVID-19 than getting sick with COVID-19. “For people who already had COVID-19, those who do not get vaccinated after their recovery are more than 2 times as likely to get COVID-19 again than those who get fully vaccinated after their recovery.” See the CDC’s Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines webpage.
- Fordham Vaccine Mandate: The University will continue to require all on-campus students, faculty, and staff to be fully up-to-date† on vaccinations for the 2022-2023 academic year. It may be necessary to require a second booster shot for eligible individuals beginning in September 2022.
†“Up-to-date” means the individual has received a full series of COVID-19 vaccines, and a booster shot, if eligible.
Every issue of Five Things is archived on our news site: news.fordham.edu/tag/five-
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator
Fordham University COVID-19 Guidelines on the web: fordham.edu/fordhamforward
Here are the five things you need to know about Fordham’s COVID-19 precautions, vaccinations, and University operations.
- On-Campus Cases: In the last 7 days, 45 members of the University community tested positive for COVID-19, as listed on the University dashboard.
- Booster Effectiveness: Vaccines and boosters are up to 68% effective against hospitalization from reinfection among individuals who previously had COVID-19, a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study shows (via USA Today). “To prevent COVID-19–associated hospitalization, all eligible persons should stay up to date with vaccination, including those with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection,” the CDC says in the study.
- Masking on Public Transportation: Though a federal judge has struck down the CDC requirement that all airline passengers remain masked while on board the aircraft, the University strongly recommends that members of the campus community continue to wear masks on all forms of public transportation.
- Return-to-Campus Testing: All students who need to enter campus will be required to submit COVID-19 test results no later than April 27, regardless of whether or not they traveled during the break. The test must be a FDA EUA authorized PCR saliva or nasal swab test, not an antigen or antibody test, and it must be performed no more than 5 days after their return to campus. Students who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days (on or after January 30) do not need to have a new test. (Employees who have traveled out of state—aside from routine commuting—at any time are expected to submit COVID-19 PCR test results within 4 days of their return.)
- Fordham Vaccine Mandate: The University will continue to require all on-campus students, faculty, and staff to be fully up-to-date† on vaccinations for the 2022-2023 academic year. It may be necessary to require a second booster shot for eligible individuals beginning in September 2022.
†“Up-to-date” means the individual has received a full series of COVID-19 vaccines, and a booster shot, if eligible.
Every issue of Five Things is archived on our news site: news.fordham.edu/tag/five-
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator
Fordham University COVID-19 Guidelines on the web: fordham.edu/fordhamforward
Here are the five things you need to know about Fordham’s COVID-19 precautions, vaccinations, and University operations.
- On-Campus Cases: In the last 7 days, 88 members of the University community tested positive for COVID-19, as listed on the University dashboard.
- Mask Policy: The University is aware that some institutions have begun to require masks in some indoor spaces again. Fordham’s policy continues to be that masks are recommended but not required in classrooms, labs, work settings, and public spaces for individuals fully up-to-date† on vaccinations. The University is monitoring case rates, locally and more broadly, and will adjustment the mask policy as circumstances require.
- Classroom and Laboratory Masking: Faculty may require masks in classrooms and laboratory settings, if in their judgement, circumstances warrant. Masks are Still Required for:
- Unvaccinated individuals with a vaccine exemption;
- All individuals on Ram Vans and in University Health Service locations (offices, and testing and vaccination sites).
- Return-to-Campus Testing: All students who need to enter campus will be required to submit COVID-19 test results no later than April 27, regardless of whether or not they traveled during the break. The test must be a FDA EUA authorized PCR saliva or nasal swab test, not an antigen or antibody test, and it must be performed no more than 5 days after their return to campus. Students who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days (on or after January 30) do not need to have a new test. (Employees who have traveled out of state—aside from routine commuting—at any time are expected to submit COVID-19 PCR test results within 4 days of their return.)
- Fordham Vaccine Mandate: The University will continue to require all on-campus students, faculty, and staff to be fully up-to-date† on vaccinations for the 2022-2023 academic year. It may be necessary to require a second booster shot for eligible individuals beginning in September 2022.
†“Up-to-date” means the individual has received a full series of COVID-19 vaccines, and a booster shot, if eligible.
Every issue of Five Things is archived on our news site: news.fordham.edu/tag/five-
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator
Fordham University COVID-19 Guidelines on the web: fordham.edu/fordhamforward
Here are the five things you need to know about Fordham’s COVID-19 precautions, vaccinations, and University operations.
- On-Campus Cases: In the last 7 days, 74 members of the University community tested positive for COVID-19, as listed on the University dashboard.
- New Booster Guidance: On March 30, 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance to allow the following groups to receive a second mRNA booster dose at least 4 months after their first booster dose:
- People ages 50 years and older;
- People ages 12 to 49 years who are moderately or severely immunocompromised;
- People ages 18 years and older who received a primary and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine may receive one mRNA booster dose at least 4 months after their first booster dose.
- On-Campus Vaccinations and Boosters: The University provides on-campus COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters to students, faculty, and staff at no charge. We recommend that eligible individuals consider receiving a second booster.
- Fordham Vaccine Mandate: The University will continue to require all on-campus students, faculty, and staff to be fully up-to-date† on vaccinations for the 2022-2023 academic year. It may be necessary to require a second booster shot for eligible individuals beginning in September 2022.
- How the CDC Monitors and Tracks COVID-19: The CDC has a page devoted to its methods of measuring and combating the spread of COVID-19, and a glossary of terms commonly used to discuss the disease and its spread. You can find that page here.
†“Up-to-date” means the individual has received a full series of COVID-19 vaccines, and a booster shot, if eligible.
Every issue of Five Things is archived on our news site: news.fordham.edu/tag/five-
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator
Fordham University COVID-19 Guidelines on the web: fordham.edu/fordhamforward
Here are the five things you need to know about Fordham’s COVID-19 precautions, vaccinations, and University operations.
- On-Campus Cases: In the last 7 days, 26 members of the University community tested positive for COVID-19, as listed on the University dashboard.
- CDC Study on Vaccine Effectiveness: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study on March 18 showing that, “among adults hospitalized with COVID-19 during the Delta and Omicron waves, those who received two or three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine had 90–95% less risk of dying or needing a ventilator compared with adults who were not vaccinated. Protection was highest in adults who received a third COVID-19 vaccine dose.”
- COVID-19 Variant Omicron BA.2: A third of U.S. COVID-19 cases are now caused by the Omicron BA.2 variant, which is widespread in the UK and elsewhere. According to Reuters, public health officials have said they don’t believe another surge of infections is coming, but cases in the United States generally lag several weeks behind the UK.
- Fordham Vaccine Mandate: The University will continue to require all on-campus students, faculty, and staff to be fully up-to-date† on vaccinations for the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Wednesday, March 30, is the Deadline for Return to Campus Testing for Students: All students who need to enter campus will be required to submit COVID-19 FDA/EUA-authorized PCR saliva or nasal swab test results no later than March 30 regardless of whether or not they traveled during the break. (Employees who have traveled out of state—aside from routine commuting—at any time are expected to submit COVID-19 PCR test results within 4 days of their return.)
†“Up-to-date” means the individual has received a full series of COVID-19 vaccines, and a booster shot, if eligible.
Every issue of Five Things is archived on our news site: news.fordham.edu/tag/five-
Marco Valera
Vice President for Administration & COVID-19 Coordinator