Students who attend the University of Utah are required to be fully vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). With the full FDA approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the university is also requiring COVID-19 vaccination.
To be compliant with the vaccine requirement you must demonstrate:
MMR:
- That you received two MMR vaccinations—after your first birthday and at least 28 days apart, or
- Results of a blood test (called a titer) proving measles, mumps, and rubella immunity, or
- Indicate a medical, religious, or personal exemption.
COVID-19:
- That you are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, or
- Indicate a medical, religious, or personal exemption.
- The university accepts the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine, as well as certain other COVID vaccines (Moderna, Johnson & Johnson).
- Fully vaccinated means two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.
- Vaccines obtained outside the United States are accepted, provided they have been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently these are: AstraZeneca, Covishield, Sinopharm BIBP, and Sinovac (all require 2 doses). If you did not complete a vaccination series prior to coming to the U.S., you should receive a full series of one of the vaccines available in the U.S. to be compliant. Other international vaccines will not be accepted and students are encouraged to seek out a vaccine that qualifies for the requirement.
How do I comply with these requirements?
- Watch your university email account for detailed instructions from the Student Health Center.
- If you received all of your vaccinations in Utah, the Student Health Center may be able to automatically confirm compliance with the requirements. If so, you will receive an email letting you know that you are fully compliant with the vaccination requirements.
- Otherwise, you will receive an email with instructions on how to provide your vaccination records or indicate a medical, religious, or personal exemption for one or both of the vaccine requirements.
Where can I get the vaccines to comply with these requirements?
- Schedule an appointment with the Student Health Center online by going to studenthealth.utah.edu and clicking on the patient portal link or calling 801-581-6431 for an appointment, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Note: Clinic is closed on Wednesdays, from 12 to 2 p.m.
- COVID-19 vaccination clinics also are occurring on campus. Please go to coronavirus.utah.edu and choose “Vaccine Information” for a list of vaccination opportunities.
- Use vaccines.gov to find a location for a COVID-19 vaccination clinic near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment.
What if I have a reason not to be immunized?
Pursuant to Utah law, students may seek a medical, religious or personal exemption from receiving mandatory vaccines. If you wish to indicate an exemption, please go to the online exemption form.
What if I don’t comply by receiving a vaccine or indicating an exemption?
Students who do not comply by either showing that they have received the vaccines or indicating an exemption will have a “hold” placed on their record that will prevent registration for future classes. All records need to be received by Sept. 30, 2021, to prevent a registration hold from being placed on your account that prevents registration for the Spring 2022 semester. Subsequent completion of the requirement with the vaccine or an exemption will remove the hold.
For more information, visit studenthealth.utah.edu/services/immunizations.
The University of Utah adheres to House Bill 233 Education Immunization Modifications bill passed by the 2021 Utah Legislature. Students who seek an exemption to the vaccine mandate will not be removed from on-campus housing or prevented from attending classes. The university continues to strongly recommend wearing face coverings when indoors, and weekly COVID-19 asymptomatic testing is available to all students free of charge.
We appreciate every member of the University of Utah community who has already been vaccinated. We know the best way out of this global health crisis and back to the exceptional, face-to-face college experience the university provides is through vaccination and following public health guidance. We want our students, faculty and staff to be able to interact fully in-person in classrooms, laboratories, libraries and offices across campus. And the safest and most effective way to get back to those experiences is through these proven vaccines.