As COVID-19 continues to evolve, we learn more about it every day. As a collective community, we have a responsibility to do the right thing and make informed decisions in support of a healthy campus. That responsibility to each other and our broader community was the driving factor in our decision to require students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated prior to the start of the academic year. Before any vaccine was granted full FDA approval, Johnson & Wales University offered exemptions from its vaccine requirement not only for medical and religious reasons but also on “other” grounds. As we have throughout the rapidly evolving pandemic, we informed the JWU community that our policies and procedures were subject to change at any time.
Detailed below are some changes to our current protocol.
Taking into account a number of recent developments, including new federal requirements for employers (announced and anticipated to take effect in the near future), full FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine, and the ongoing presence of the highly contagious Delta variant, Johnson & Wales University will be requiring broader vaccination through its community.
Effective immediately, the University is withdrawing approval for any exemption on “other” grounds.
Those who previously received an exemption on “other” grounds will need to present proof of full vaccination (i.e., completion of all recommended doses, followed by a passage of no fewer than 14 days thereafter)
by November 8, or to qualify for a medical or religious exemption before such time. These individuals will be emailed further instructions later this week. As a reminder, the FDA has said that vaccines are safe and effective, and the COVID-19 vaccine is free. Please visit the
website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more.
Those who are not fully vaccinated must continue participating in required sentinel testing on a more frequent basis. Monitor your JWU email for testing instructions. Failure to participate in testing will result in university sanctions.
Thank you all for your continued support in keeping our community healthy and safe. We all want to enjoy supporting local businesses and going out to restaurants and events, but it’s still important to practice physical distancing and remain cautious. COVID continues to change rapidly, and we hope to avoid the need to impose other restrictions due to spikes in cases. Please continue following best practices including washing hands, physical
