UPDATE: On December 23, the University issued updated guidance requiring students to receive the COVID-19 booster ahead of the spring 2022 semester. Read the full announcement now.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has recently expanded the eligibility for getting a COVID-19 booster vaccination. The University of Rochester is requiring students to receive the COVID-19 booster upon eligibility. The University is not requiring faculty and staff to receive a booster at this time, but it is strongly encouraged. Studies show that after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection with the Delta variant—or other emerging variants—may decrease over time.
The following groups are now eligible to get the COVID-19 booster immediately:
- Anyone 18 and older who received the initial one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two months ago.
- Anyone 18 and older who received the full Pfizer or Moderna vaccination at least 5 months ago.
The University of Rochester Medical Center has separate booster guidelines on its intranet site (login required) for students and employees working in health care.
Additionally, per recent CDC guidance, Pfizer (only) booster doses are now available for those 18 years of age and older who completed all of the doses of a WHO-EUL (World Health Organization Emergency Use List) COVID-19 vaccine not approved or authorized by FDA (such as AstraZeneca), or people who completed a mix-and-match series composed of any combination of FDA-approved, FDA-authorized, or WHO-EUL COVID-19 vaccines at least 6 months ago. At this time, however, it is not known which pharmacies or clinics are currently providing booster shots to this category of individuals. When new information is available, it will be posted on the vaccine FAQ page.
Getting the Booster
There is no cost to receive a COVID-19 booster and the CDC has approved all three COVID-19 vaccines for booster shots, regardless of the type of vaccine (Moderna, Pfizer, J&J) that an individual received at their first COVID-19 vaccination. For example, if two doses of Moderna were given 5 months or more ago, an individual can safely receive the Moderna, Pfizer, or J&J vaccine as a one-shot booster.
Eligible students and employees can make an appointment online to get a booster shot at one of the nearby pharmacies, including local Wegmans, Walgreens, and the CVS in College Town. The Finger Lakes Vaccine Hub continues to provide additional updated information on available vaccination options in the community. In order to get the booster, individuals should bring to the appointment their CDC vaccination card that shows the original COVID-19 vaccinations and when it they were administered.
As with the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, temporary side effects from the booster shot, such as headache and fever, may be possible, so students should keep in mind their course and test schedules and other activities when scheduling their booster. Visit the CDC website for more information about temporary side effects.
As a reminder, the University provides employees up to four hours of paid time off for vaccine appointments, and one day of paid time off after receiving the booster vaccines for employees who may experience side effects.
For more vaccine and booster information, explore frequently asked questions.