VACCINATION AT MERCYHURST

Mercyhurst will require all students taking courses on campus and all university employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 1, 2021. Additionally, there is a pre-existing requirement for all students and employees to be vaccinated against Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR). Individuals living in campus housing must also be vaccinated against meningitis.

COVID-19

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the research supporting COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, and the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S., Mercyhurst University has revised its vaccination policy ahead of the Fall 2021 semester. In addition to the already-required vaccines, Mercyhurst requires all students taking courses on campus and all university employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Aug. 1, 2021. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of a two-dose series (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson). Students and employees must upload their COVID-19 vaccination documentation, if they haven't already.

COVID-19 is a serious, highly infectious, and potentially fatal respiratory disease, and although COVID-19 transmission has slowed in the United States, it still poses a significant threat to colleges and universities. COVID-19 vaccinations provide critical health protection and help protect our larger Mercyhurst community, moving us closer to herd immunity, limiting potential COVID-19 outbreaks, and influencing the degree to which we can resume normal campus activities in the fall. 

Many students and employees have already received or scheduled their COVID-19 vaccinations; those who have not yet scheduled vaccination appointments are highly encouraged to seek appointments now. Exemption requests for those with documented medical, religious, or philosophical objections are available by submitting the Vaccination Exemption Request Form, available below, and must be submitted by July 1, 2021.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

All students and employees are required to provide documentation showing vaccination for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR). Measles is highly contagious and dangerous; according to the CDC, about one in four people who contract measles will require hospitalization. A single case of measles on our campus would have a highly disruptive effect on our educational mission and could put vulnerable members of our campus community at risk. Exemption requests for those with documented medical objections are available by submitting the Vaccination Exemption Request Form, available below.

Meningitis

Students who live in campus housing must also provide documentation for the meningitis meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Exemption requests for those with documented medical objections are available by submitting the Vaccination Exemption Request Form, available below.

We will contact students and employees individually throughout the summer if we are missing sufficient vaccination documentation. If you do receive a notification, please provide the required documentation immediately.

Contact Us

For questions about Mercyhurst's vaccination policy, please contact our Vaccine Response Team at vaccines@mercyhurst.edu.