UVA New Hire COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements and Guidelines
See below info for the separate vaccination requirements and/or guidelines for UVA Health team members and Academic Division employees. UVA Wise employees should refer to Academic Division guidelines for information that pertains to you.
Note: Masks are optional for all employees and team members.
Following the end of the Public Health Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, new guidance has been issued to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to no longer require the COVID-19 vaccine among healthcare workers certified by that governing body. As a result, and to align with CMS’s new guidance, UVA Health has ended its COVID-19 vaccination requirement, effective August 4, 2023.
This policy change is effective for all new hires and current UVA Health team members, inclusive of the Medical Center, UPG, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, Claude Moore Health System Library, UVA Community Health, and UVA Community Health Medical Group.
Although UVA Health no longer requires the COVID-19 vaccine among its team members, it will continue to recommend that all eligible individuals receive both a primary COVID-19 vaccination and recommended boosters, as the COVID-19 vaccine has proven itself to be the safest and most effective tool to prevent severe illness caused by the virus. COVID-19 vaccinations are available through one's primary care physician or at local pharmacies, including within UVA Health. Although not required, team members are encouraged to submit their vaccination records with Employee Health.
UVA Health no longer requires an exemption process for not receiving the vaccine.
Team members, including those who do not get the COVID vaccine, must wear protective equipment consistent with UVA Health PPE policies.
For more information on this policy change, and to answer some common questions, please reference the UVA Health summary article and FAQs on Connect.
All newly hired team members are strongly encouraged, but not required, to complete primary vaccination and to submit documentation of completed primary vaccination.
Team members who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer be required to complete weekly prevalence testing at this time. There is a possibility that prevalence testing will be reinstated in the future if warranted by changes in COVID-19 case numbers and other factors. As a reminder, prevalence testing is separate from diagnostic testing, which is performed on individuals who have symptoms, have possibly been exposed to COVID-19, or otherwise have been directed to get tested. Read about team member diagnostic testing options.
For full details about boosters, including FAQs, visit the UVA COVID-19 Booster Information webpage.
All team members are strongly encouraged, but not required, to receive a booster dose of vaccine six (6) months after completing primary vaccination with Pfizer or Moderna vaccine OR two months after receiving J&J vaccination dose and such other booster or additional doses as may be recommended by the CDC.
For full details about boosters, including FAQs, visit the UVA COVID-19 Booster Requirement webpage.
New UVA Health employees who have received their user ID may schedule a vaccination appointment by calling Employee Health at 434.924.2013.
There are also several ways to find vaccine providers near you. See these methods published by the CDC.
Newly hired team members are encouraged, but not required, to share vaccination status by:
Please contact your UVA Recruiter if you have questions.
All Academic Division employees (including faculty and staff, wage and temp workers, Wise employees, part-time and full-time) are strongly encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccine(s) and booster.
Academic employees who follow OCH-002, refer to the UVA Health information section above. This applies to those whose job-related activities require them to be present in UVA Health facilities at any time in a given calendar year. If you are unsure if OCH-002 applies to you, please contact your hiring manager.
You are not required, but it is strongly encouraged to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Please note that some medical and safety-sensitive positions require vaccination and are not eligible for exemption. If you are unsure which policy applies to your position, please contact your hiring manager.
There are several ways to find vaccine providers near you, including these methods published by the CDC.
All Academic Division employees (including faculty and staff, wage and temp workers, part-time and full-time) are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 booster, but it is not required.
Please contact your UVA Recruiter if you have questions.
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