What is the spectator policy for athletic events?
The Washington & Jefferson College Department of Athletics has announced that all spectators, including external fans, are welcome at home athletic events.
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What is the testing protocol for Jay Term and Spring 2022?
The College required regular testing of unvaccinated individuals who have approved medical or religious exemptions for the Fall 2021 semester, Intersession, and much of the Spring 2022 semester. Vigilant surveillance testing helped the College mitigate and respond quickly to any positive COVID-19 cases.
As of April 12, 2022, students and employees who have an approved vaccination exemption are no longer required to participate in weekly surveillance testing. However, symptomatic students who live on campus can request a Covid-19 test from Student Health & Counseling. Symptomatic individuals who do not live on campus, including employees, should stay home and contact their health care provider for testing.
What is the masking policy for Jay Term and Spring 2022?
Effective at the end of the day on Friday, April 15, the College will move to a mask optional policy for all public indoor spaces including classrooms, the Clark Family Library and other academic spaces. If a physician has advised you to avoid mask optional spaces, please contact Academic Affairs (academicaffairs@washjeff.edu).
We also support and respect any individual who wishes to continue to wear a mask in public settings for their personal health and safety. Please continue to carry a mask with you and be respectful of any individual who requests that masks be worn in their presence. In some instances, you may be asked to wear a mask when in individual meetings or in larger group settings.
We are continuing to monitor both the CDC guidelines and the safety conditions in the City of Washington and Washington County. These guidelines may need to change quickly depending on information from these outlets.
I received my COVID-19 vaccination, what should I know about boosters?
The CDC has updated is COVID-19 Booster vaccination approvals as of Thursday, October 21, 2021. The CDC has advised that “eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received and others, may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots”. More information can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html
Pfizer & Moderna Booster Vaccinations:
People aged 18–64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may get a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or J&J based on their individual benefits and risks.
Adults aged 18–64 years who work or reside in certain settings (e.g., health care, schools, correctional facilities, homeless shelters) may be at increased risk of being exposed to COVID-19, which could be spreading where they work or reside. Since that risk can vary across settings and based on how much COVID-19 is spreading in a community, people aged 18–64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may get a booster shot after considering their individual risks and benefits. This recommendation may change in the future as more data become available.
Examples of workers who may get Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna booster[ 1 ] shots
- First responders (e.g., healthcare workers, firefighters, police, congregate care staff)
- Education staff (e.g., teachers, support staff, daycare workers)
- Food and agriculture workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Corrections workers
- S. Postal Service workers
- Public transit workers
- Grocery store workers
1 List could be updated in the future
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Booster Shots
The CDC has also recommended those individuals who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccination shot two or more months ago receive a booster shot. The booster is recommended for anyone over the age of 18. The CDC has advised that individuals can choose their booster vaccine.
How do I know if the COVID-19 vaccine is safe?
All COVID-19 vaccines were tested in clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people to make sure they meet safety standards and protect adults of different ages, races, and ethnicities. There were no serious safety concerns. These trials were very similar to trials done for other licensed vaccines, but were done more quickly due to the urgent need to reduce illnesses during the pandemic. CDC and the FDA will keep monitoring the vaccines to look for safety issues after they are authorized and in use.
Are there long-term side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Because all COVID-19 vaccines are new, it will take more time and more people getting vaccinated to learn about very rare or possible long-term side effects. At least 8-weeks of safety data were gathered in the clinical trials for all the authorized vaccines, and it’s unusual for vaccine side effects to appear more than 8 weeks after vaccination.
Will the shot hurt or make me sick?
There may be side effects, but they should go away within a few days. Possible side effects include a sore arm, headache, fever, or body aches. This does not mean you have COVID-19. These side effects are signs that the vaccine is working to build immunity. If they don’t go away in a week, or you have more serious symptoms, call the office.
Why do I need two COVID-19 shots?
Most authorized vaccines require two doses of vaccine. The first shot helps the immune system recognize the virus, and the second shot strengthens the immune response. You need both to get the best protection that lasts longest. It should be noted that the Johnson & Johnson vaccination requires only one shot.
Is it better to get natural immunity to COVID-19 rather than immunity from a vaccine?
No. COVID-19 is new and so are the vaccines to prevent it. We don’t know how long protection lasts for those who get infected or for those who are vaccinated. What we do know is that COVID-19 has caused very serious illness and death for a lot of people. If you get COVID-19, you also risk giving it to loved ones who may get very sick. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice.
If I already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated?
Yes. CDC recommends that you get vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19, because you might become infected more than once. While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don’t know how long that protection will last.
