Pfizer and Moderna booster shots
In his October 27, 2021 newsletter, Provost Mark Ginsburg announced that Mason is offering Pfizer and Moderna boosters for eligible individuals.
The CDC and FDA have approved and recommended booster doses for certain individuals who received any of the three COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States. Pfizer and Moderna boosters are available at Mason for eligible individuals who completed their initial series at least six months ago. Eligible individuals include:
- People 65 years and older
- People aged 18 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions
- People aged 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk due to occupational or institutional settings
Individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are also eligible for a booster of any of the three vaccines available in the U.S., two months after their initial vaccine. Only Pfizer and Moderna boosters are available at Mason. The vaccine clinic is open at Fenwick A, Monday through Friday. Schedule your vaccine appointment here through the office of Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management.
At your appointment, you MUST present your COVID vaccination card that you received at your previous vaccinations. Please also bring a form of identification that verifies your name and date of birth. You do not need to provide proof of your medical condition, activities, or occupation.
Please be aware that if you received your initial COVID vaccine(s) in another state, we will not have visibility of this. In the same way, any vaccines given in Virginia will not be visible to a provider in another state. If you receive a Covid vaccine from Mason, that vaccine dose will be entered into the Virginia database. You will then be responsible for providing the hard copy record or vaccine card to your provider in another state if you wish to do so.
Still need an initial vaccine?
Initial vaccine series of Pfizer and Moderna are still available. Mason does not plan to offer vaccines to the 5-11-year-old age group.
Thank you for doing your part to protect Mason Nation. For more information on Mason’s ongoing COVID-19 response, visit Mason’s Safe Return to Campus website.
Safety guidelines and pre-holiday testing
With the oncoming winter season and Thanksgiving holiday break, President Gregory Washington's November 1, 2021 email to the Mason community offered updated guidance on the importance of continued vigilance against COVID, and announced holiday testing protocols.
Mask wearing: All individuals on our campuses must continue to wear masks indoors, including classrooms andlaboratories, regardless of vaccination status. Vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks outdoors; however, unvaccinated individuals are still required to wear masks outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained or at an outdoor university event.
Student COVID testing protocols: The university has developed some updates to our COVID testing protocol to keep the Mason Nation and our families safe during the holiday season.
Exit testing
- All students are encouraged to test prior to leaving campus for Thanksgiving.
- We recommend you do this 1-2 days before celebrating with those from outside your household to receive test results in time.
Residential student return testing
- All residential students will be required to participate in return-to-campus testing.
- This will happen the week of Nov. 29 (Monday, Nov. 29, Tuesday, Nov. 30, or Wednesday, Dec. 1).
- Those with approved medical exemptions or who are not fully vaccinated must test twice the week of Nov. 29 with at least 48 hours between their first and second tests.
- Failure to comply with the testing protocol will result in a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.
Non-residential student return testing
- All non-residential students are encouraged to participate in return testing, by invitation or by self-selected on-demand testing.
- Those with approved medical/religious vaccination exemptions and those who are not fully vaccinated (including those who have not had their vaccination documentation verified by Student Health Services) must test twice the week of Nov. 29 with at least 48 hours between their first and second test.
COVID testing for faculty and staff: The university is offering departure and return testing to any Mason community member.
October 31, 2021
