Screening, Testing & Vaccination

This page was last updated 3/21/22

Question: What do I do if I have been exposed to COVID-19?
Answer: A student with a known exposure is expected to quarantine and/or isolate per University guidelines. Students who test positive should remain in place and immediately contact Health Services by calling +1 (412) 578-6474.

Vaccination

The University’s vaccination requirement includes all locations of Carlow University. Students at St. Vincent College (SVC) are subject to the college’s specific requirements. SVC nursing students will also need to abide by any health care agency mandates.

Important Dates

  • Dec. 17, 2021: Students and employees must report their vaccination status, regardless of what language it may be written in.
  • Jan. 4, 2022: Please be aware that our healthcare partners have notified us that they will comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) requirements for healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This will require anyone in their facilities to have a first COVID-19 vaccine by December 5, 2021, and to be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022. This requirement is for all Carlow University students and faculty who are engaging in learning activities in health care systems, such as clinical practicum or internships. We have contracts with these agencies that obligate us to adhere to their placement requirements. For more information, contact your department head or program director.
  • Jan. 24, 2022: Submit proof of multi-dose vaccination

Question: What is the University’s position on vaccinations?
Answer: Widespread vaccination represents a critical step in stopping the pandemic. Per the CDC, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Allegheny County Health Department guidelines, Carlow strongly recommends that all students, faculty and staff be fully vaccinated.

Additionally, given that many entities such as Healthcare facilities are now requiring vaccination for clinical and experiential learning placements, it is becoming increasingly difficult to facilitate a comprehensive and effective learning experience for those unvaccinated.

Our COVID Task Force has continued to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic locally, nationally and internationally. The Task Force considered input from the Cabinet, the University Faculty Senate, Staff Council, and the Student Government Association leadership regarding the changing COVID landscape. As a result of that process, the decision has been made to require all employees and students to complete their COVID vaccination by Jan. 24, 2022.

If you would like to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, please consult the website of the Allegheny County Health Department.

Question: Are Carlow students, faculty or staff required to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Answer: Yes, students, faculty and staff are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and be fully vaccinated by January 24, 2021. This applies to students, faculty and employees who are not fully remote. 

Question: What is considered “fully remote”?
Answer: Any student or employee who does not or will not take part in an on-campus course or activity is considered to be fully remote.

Question:  What is fully vaccinated?
Answer: Once you have a confirmed series completion you may upload your vaccination card. People are considered fully vaccinated:  

  • Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
  • Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

At this time, a booster shot is not required to be considered fully vaccinated.

Question: Should I be vaccinated even if I have already had COVID-19?
Answer: Yes. If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Question: Will the University accept vaccination exemptions?
Answer: Yes. Student may receive medical and religious exemptions with proper documentation. You only need to submit your vaccination status, and a request for exemption, one time.

Question: How does a student file a religious or medical exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Answer: Students can complete the religious or medical exemption form below and submit them by uploading the form to the Vaccine Status Reporting Form.

All exemption forms must be completed in their entirety, including the signature from a religious affiliate or physician. Please make sure that the form is complete prior to submission to avoid any processing delays.

No student receiving an exemption will be prevented from fully participating in courses, campus activities or athletics. However, exemptions may not be approved at off-site agencies hosting clinical or other experiential learning experiences.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the exemption form, please contact Health Services by email: hcs@carlow.edu, or by phone: +1 (412) 578-6474.

Question: I submitted my vaccine card/exemption form to Health Services via email, but I keep getting emails stating that it hasn’t been received. Why is this?
Answer: If you shared COVID-related documentation to Health Services via email, please re-submit this information through the Vaccination Status Reporting Form. Health Services cannot guarantee that your information has been accounted for by the University if it was submitted directly via email, as they have a high volume of inquiries and triage requests at this time.

Question: What will happen if I have in-person classes and am not vaccinated by January 24, 2022?
Answer: Please reach out to your Carlow faculty advisor as soon as possible. They will work with you to explore options that can inform your decision-making. Our goal is to help students to obtain the skills necessary to be career-ready.

Question: How will my data be used and will it be secure?
Answer: Information submitted is strictly confidential and will not be used for any other purpose than identifying the overall University vaccination rates and who needs to be tested weekly going forward. Carlow University only collects your name, Carlow email, Carlow-specific ID number and a copy of your vaccine card. This data is securely stored in our Office 365 environment. It is secured in a service account with limited access that’s granted to just four individuals. The Microsoft 365 environment maintains an agreement with Microsoft business associate agreement (BAA) including HIPAA-compliant provisions.

Masking

Question: What is the University’s policy on masking?
Answer: Given recent CDC recommendations, high vaccination rates, and low COVID-19 contraction rates, Carlow University has moved to a mask-optional policy for indoor spaces. The Early Learning Center and Trinity Hall are excluded from this mask-optional policy. Both will continue to require mask wearing at this time for all, including student observations, families, university employees or anyone else who accesses these spaces.

Screening

Carlow University has shifted to a self-screening model. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use the CDC Self-Checker Tool if they suspect that they have contracted COVID-19 or have come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is encouraged to remain home and to contact a primary care provider or Health Services by calling +1 (412) 578-6474. 

Testing

There will be mandatory weekly testing for individuals with medical and/or religious exemptions. For individuals who have been granted an exemption, it will be necessary to provide a negative COVID-19 test result within the last 72 hours or attend weekly testing opportunities held through the University. If you cannot attend weekly testing through the University, it will be necessary to make your own arrangements for weekly testing and any associated costs.

Weekly testing opportunities on-campus may vary. Students who are eligible to participate in the University’s weekly testing shall be notified to register for this opportunity through Health Services. It is strongly recommended that students utilize the University’s weekly testing, as resources for testing are becoming limited in our communities due to high demand. 

Students who have not submitted their vaccination status may do so by clicking here. Students, faculty, and staff must self-report their test results. Students should contact Health Services by clicking here, calling +1 (412) 578-6474 or emailing hcs@carlow.edu. Faculty and staff are asked to contact Human Resources by emailing HROffice@carlow.edu. 

A student with a known exposure is expected to quarantine and/or isolate per University guidelines. Students who test positive should remain in place and immediately contact Health Services by calling +1 (412) 578-6474.

 If you are in need of a COVID-19 test, please consult your primary care physician or consult the Allegheny County Health Department. 

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