COVID-19 vaccine mandate and Return to Campus
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On Monday, July 19, WesternU announced it is mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for all students and employees studying or working in person on either of our campuses (Pomona and Lebanon) or other affiliated facilities. Exemptions will only be granted for documented medical and religious reasons. Under the WesternU COVID-19 Policy, you must show proof of vaccination or an approved exemption by September 15, 2021. See the COVID-19 Policy and Exemption Forms here.
WesternU is making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory because the currently available vaccines are safe and effective in preventing severe COVID-19 infection, including hospitalization and death, so the benefits of receiving the vaccine outweigh the risks of getting the vaccine.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock, MD, stated in a Senate committee hearing on July 20 that the FDA issued Emergency Use Authorizations for three COVID-19 vaccines, and these vaccines were authorized without cutting corners or sacrificing the FDA’s rigorous standards.
“We’re also deeply involved with CDC on safety surveillance for the vaccines as they go into millions of healthy people to understand what adverse events might be related,” Dr. Woodcock said. “And we continue to find that the known and potential benefits of these vaccines far outweigh the known risks even as additional rare risks have been discovered.”
“The FDA recognizes that vaccines are key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic and is working as quickly as possible to review applications for full approval,” according to an FDA statement.
We believe that vaccination is by far the most effective way to prevent severe disease and death after exposure to the virus and to reduce spread of the disease to those who are not able, or not yet eligible, to receive the vaccine.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the single most important step you can take to prevent infection by and transmission of this novel coronavirus.
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Masks required indoors
On July 17, LA County Public Health modified its masking order requiring everyone to wear a mask while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Read more. This is consistent with CRT recommendations already in effect on our campus locations. It is also a reminder that there will likely be ups and downs as we come through this pandemic, and it is important to remain flexible, resilient, and vigilant in our efforts to combat COVID-19. |
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Return to Campus
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Phase I (current phase) Return to Campus is now beginning with the return of those colleges and work units that must prepare for the arrival, instruction, and enrollment of our students for the fall semester, prior to August 29, 2021.
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For those Phase 1 employees not already on campus, Department Heads and Supervisors should notify all relevant Phase I employees that they are expected to report to campus now, unless the Department Head or Supervisor has designated an alternate date for their return.
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Phase II will begin on August 30, 2021, with the return of all other employees.
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Telecommuting
Employees will recall that in March 2020, the University implemented the COVID-19 Workplace Procedure and the Temporary Remote Work Agreement (COVID-19). That Agreement will terminate with the campus re-opening, effective August 30, 2021. In its place, the University will adopt the Telecommuting Policy & Procedure, that may allow interested employees the option to telecommute (either partially or fully), provided their position duties/responsibilities are conducive to remote work and the employee meets certain eligibility requirements as outlined in the policy.
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From the College of Pharmacy:
Dr. Peter Oelschlaeger and former Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Mohammad Faheem, MSPS alum Charles Zhang, MSPS student Paulie Dang, PharmD student Monica Morris, and volunteer Pooja Kumar presented "Role of mutations S115T and S119G in IMP enzymes" at the 4th International Caparica Conference in Antibiotic Resistance, June 14-17, 2021, Caparica, Portugal.
Dr. Oelschlaeger and MSPS student Paulie Dang presented the poster "Effect of mutations V67F and S262A on IMP-1 metallo-beta-lactamase" at the World Microbe Forum June 20-24, 2021.
Dr. Oelschlaeger also presented the poster "Secondary analysis of antimicrobial resistance genes and MICs in PATRIC" at the World Microbe Forum.
Dr. Oelschlaeger was appointed as an editorial board member of Biomolecules from July 2021 to June 2023. Biomolecules has an impact factor of 4.879.
Dr. Oelschlaeger published "β-Lactamases: Sequence, Structure, Function, and Inhibition." Biomolecules. 2021;11(7):986. PubMed PMID: doi:10.3390/biom11070986
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From CDHP:
The Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy would like to welcome the incoming students for the upcoming 2021-22 Academic Year. If you feel you may benefit from academic accommodations, check out our website to learn about the services we provide, and to start the process early.
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Phoenix cardiologist specializes in rare diagnosis
WesternU COMP alumna Sarika Desai, DO '08, is featured in a news story about people with lingering COVID-19 symptoms who contract Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a blood circulation disorder.
Read more
www.azfamily.com
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Dr. Miary Andriamiarisoa featured on The Tom Sumner Program
Dr. Miary Andriamiarisoa is featured in the documentary film "The Healthcare Cure," which won an Audience Choice Award for "Most Impactful Film" at the Sedona International Film Festival. He talks with Tom Sumner about various facets of health care.
Read more
rss.com
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How to submit to This Week@WesternU
Information in the bulletin is shared with the entire university community. Send your news items or any follow-up questions or notifications to the Public Affairs Department at ThisWeek@westernu.edu. Deadline is 2 p.m. Friday. Thank you.
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