Update to Student COVID Vaccination Requirement for Fall 2021


Dear Students, 

As part of our plan to return to in-person instruction and on-campus activities, we have made the decision to require all students returning to campus in fall 2021 (including those studying abroad) to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of FDA approval status. We acknowledge this is a change from earlier communications; however, it is necessary to maintain the health and safety of our entire community. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has indicated that full FDA approval for COVID vaccines may not come until later in the year. Given the effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing the spread of COVID, including current variants which are leading to a new surge in cases in unvaccinated populations, we do not want to delay the process of requiring vaccines until they receive full FDA approval. Champlain will require vaccination, regardless of FDA approval status, for students to access campus in the fall and will accept any vaccine currently authorized for use in the United States. 

We strongly encourage you to start the vaccination process now if you have not already done so, to avoid the risk of not being able to attend classes or move into residence halls this August. Please find detailed information here describing how to provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to the Student Health Center. To seek exemption for the COVID-19 immunization requirement for qualifying medical or religious reasons please contact Student Health to learn more about the exemption process. If you have already submitted your COVID-19 vaccination to Student Health, you do not need to submit your vaccination record again. 

For complete details on the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine and how to schedule a vaccination appointment, please refer to the CDC website. For questions about Champlain’s requirements, please contact the Student Health Center at (802) 861‐2711 or healthservices@champlain.edu, or contact feedback@champlain.edu.  

Sincerely, 

Dave Finney, Interim President