FAQ About Student Vaccination/Boosters Requirement

 

After requiring students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 for Spring Semester, will SLCC require vaccinations or booster vaccinations for upcoming semesters? 

In order to register for the summer and fall 2022 semesters, SLCC students must be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters. Students who were initially vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna more than six months ago or with Johnson & Johnson more than two months ago must receive a booster in order to be considered fully vaccinated.

How will SLCC know I am vaccinated or boosted?

 

The college developed a system that will be part of our online registration module. In order to register for classes, students will need to upload proof of vaccination. Until they do, their account will display a registration hold. Once proof is uploaded, the hold is lifted. 

What if I can’t get vaccinated or boosted or if I choose not to? 

Utah law requires the college to offer vaccination exemptions to students. Students who cannot or chose not to become fully vaccinated will be required to declare a medical, religious or personal exemption during the online registration process. 

What if I don’t want to get vaccinated/boosted or request an exemption? 

 

Students who do not get vaccinated or who do not declare an exemption will not be permitted to register for SLCC’s summer or fall 2022 classes.

Does the vaccination requirement apply to all students whether or not they attend classes on campus? 

 

Yes, all students will need to be vaccinated or claim an exemption before registering for summer or fall semester. The only exception to this is high school students who participate in our concurrent enrollment or early enrollment programs, workforce/economic development students, and concurrent enrollment students who are taking classes for no credit.

If I am an online student do I need be vaccinated to register for classes? 

 

Yes. Except for the exceptions noted above, all students will need to show proof of vaccination or declare an exemption before they can register for summer or fall semester. Nearly all students, whether or not they attend classes on campus, typically access on-site services several times throughout the semester. With that information in mind, the college has opted to apply the vaccination requirement to all students. 

Do continuing education students need to be vaccinated? 

 

Yes, if a continuing education student is taking a class for college credit. Those who are taking a continuing education class for no credit are not subject to the vaccination requirement.

If I am an SLCC employee who takes classes at the college, am I still subject to the vaccination requirement?

 

Yes, any employee who takes classes through SLCC is required to be vaccinated. 

Will students who are granted exemptions need to regularly test for COVID-19? 

 

There is no testing requirement, except for select groups (e.g. athletics, healthcare) for students who declare vaccine exemptions. The college will coordinate testing directly with students who are in these groups. 

 

I’ve already had COVID-19. Do I need to get vaccinated? 

 

While there is evidence that those who have recovered from COVID-19 develop natural immunity, COVID-19 is a novel virus, and there is still much that is unknown about the durability of antibodies from previous infections. As such, the CDC recommends that everyone get vaccinated/boosted for COVID-19. Available vaccines are safe and effective and have shown that even in the event of “breakthrough” cases, the chance of becoming seriously ill is greatly reduced. 

 

Will a COVID-19 vaccine approved under emergency use suffice, or do I need to get the vaccine that has been granted full FDA approval? 

 

While the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are currently the only fully approved COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States, the college will also accept vaccines that have been approved for emergency use, which includes Johnson & Johnson.  

Will I have to quarantine if I’m exposed to COVID-19 after I’m vaccinated? 

No. According to CDC, vaccinated individuals exposed to COVID-19 do not have to quarantine unless they begin to show signs of illness. 

 

Where can I get vaccinated and how much does it cost? 

 

To help students meet the requirement, SLCC is offering a free vaccination clinic to students and employees. See our blog for more information.

 

Why are SLCC employees not subject to the vaccination requirement? 

 

Multiple court rulings have complicated this matter, and the college is still evaluating whether this remains an option. 

 

Why did SLCC implementing a vaccine requirement rather than a mask mandate? 

 

State leaders granted Utah System of Higher Education institutions more flexibility in decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements. With unrelentingly high case counts putting a huge strain on Utah’s health care system, the college opted to implement a vaccination requirement. Utah law only allows state and local health departments, with approval from relevant legislative bodies, to issue mask mandates. With that said, SLCC strongly encourages everyone to wear a well-fitted face covering while on campus. Check out CDC guidelines for information on how face coverings or masks should be used.