Reminder: Vaccination and Booster FAQs
Welcome to the start of the spring semester. We hope you’re enjoying your classes and are excited to resume in-person instruction on February 7. As the semester begins, we encourage everyone to visit our COVID-19 Community Guide regularly for the most up-to-date information and guidance about university policies, accessing campus spaces, and keeping our community safe and healthy.
Please read the sections below carefully for important reminders and FAQs about your vaccination and booster requirements.
Booster Requirement for Spring 2022
Beginning January 21, all community members must be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, including an initial vaccine series and a booster, and upload their documentation to the Student Health Services (SHS) portal.
Those not yet eligible or unable to access a booster in their home country must receive a booster within 14 days of becoming eligible or gaining access.
Quick Answers to Some Common Vaccination and Booster Questions
How do I upload my proof of vaccination and booster?
Submit your vaccine record to the SHS Portal by following these instructions. Make sure to select the type of booster and the date when it was received.
What happens if I don’t upload proof of vaccination or booster?
If you do not submit proof of vaccination or do not have an approved exemption, you will not be able to enter academic buildings. At this time, building access requires completion of an initial vaccination series or an approved exemption. We will update the community when proof of a booster is required for academic building access.
When am I eligible for a booster?
Individuals ages 18 years and older are eligible to receive a booster 5 months after their initial two-dose Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccination series or two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
I recently tested positive for COVID-19. Should I wait to get a booster?
If you test positive, the CDC recommends getting a booster as soon as your symptoms resolve (if you are symptomatic) and you complete your isolation period.
How do I get a booster?
COVID-19 boosters are widely available at pharmacies and clinics at no cost. You can schedule a booster appointment by checking with your local pharmacy, by going to vaccinefinder.nyc.gov, or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).
I originally got vaccinated outside of the US. Do I need to get a booster? When am I eligible?
All community members are required to get a booster within 14 days of when they are eligible, including those who received their initial vaccine outside of the US. If you received all recommended doses of a WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) vaccine or at least one WHO EUL dose in a mix-and-match series with an FDA-approved or FDA-authorized vaccine, you are eligible for a Pfizer/BioNTech booster 5 months after completing your initial series.
How do I add a Pfizer/BioNTech or Johnson & Johnson booster? I’m trying to upload my booster information but the type is not showing up on the list.
Moderna is the only type listed as a booster because it is the only one administered as a different dose than the primary series dose. All other types (including Pfizer/BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson) are the same dose as the primary series dose.
Individuals who received a Moderna booster should select “Moderna booster.” All others should select the booster type they received with the same line as the primary series selection.
Where should I go if I have questions about the vaccination and booster requirement?
We know you may have questions about the updated guidance and policies. For help, students should email shs@newschool.edu. Faculty and staff should contact BenefitsHelp@newschool.edu.