Ensuring that the overwhelming percentage of our community’s population is vaccinated will greatly reduce the risk of the virus’s spread on our campuses and will also protect our neighbors in Baltimore.
COVID-19 vaccination is currently required for all faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate and graduate students who will be working or studying at a Johns Hopkins campus or worksite in the U.S.; those individuals are also required to get either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID booster shot by Feb. 1, or as soon as they become eligible (whichever is later).
This policy includes:
Emerging evidence has shown that immunity to COVID wanes over time, particularly against the omicron variant, but that booster shots of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine provide significant additional protection. We believe this step will help prevent disruptions to our plans for an in-person spring semester.
Johns Hopkins is scheduling clinics at which university faculty, staff, students, and postdoctoral fellows can receive COVID-19 booster shots. All booster shots are Pfizer-BioNTech.
Appointments should be made through MyChart using the Johns Hopkins University Booster Clinic option; sign up for a date and time and confirm location information via this website.
Additional clinics may be added; check back for updates.
Note: Parking for Homewood campus clinics is available at the Hopkins Club (use raised gate entrance; see campus map for details); shuttles will be provided for those with mobility needs.
Fully remote individuals, including staff and online students who are working or studying 100% remotely, are exempt from the vaccination and booster requirements, but they should change their status in Prodensity to indicate that they will not be coming on campus. If plans change and an individual has to come on campus, work on-site, or participate in a JHU-sponsored residency or field study, they must be vaccinated or have an approved exception.
If a new employee, postdoctoral fellow, or transfer student, or visiting scholar has not been vaccinated before the first day of employment or activities noted above, there is a two-week grace period to complete the next step in the vaccination process (e.g., base dose or booster). Proof of vaccination should be uploaded to the Vaccine Management System within that two-week period.
Any employee, fellow, or student who is not yet fully vaccinated must be tested twice weekly until they are considered fully vaccinated (two weeks after their final dose).
Faculty and staff can take up to two days off to be vaccinated and/or to recover from any side effects. Visit the Human Resources website for additional details.
Exceptions may be granted in limited circumstances for:
Additionally, the following individuals are exempt:
Exception requests were due Aug. 1, 2021.
New employees and new/transfer/visiting students may apply for an exception as soon as they have a JHED ID using the JHU Vaccine Management System (VMS). Additional details on how to request an exception, including required documentation can be found on this website.
Having had COVID-19 in the past is NOT a permissible criterion for an exception.
Any person covered by the vaccine mandate who fails to provide acceptable vaccination documentation, does not receive an approved exception, and/or has an approved exception but does not comply with testing requirements may be denied access to Johns Hopkins property and electronic resources. Those individuals may also be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Conduct Code or the appropriate procedures applicable to faculty and staff.
While Prodensity has integrated real-time compliance with symptom screening, vaccination, and testing mandates, compliance is monitored primarily through weekly reports sent to divisional response teams (composed of divisional leadership including HR managers and divisional business officers) and student affairs staff. Real-time compliance using Prodensity passes should only be used in situations where routine screening can be accomplished by authorized JHU personnel – e.g., a security desk for accessing certain JHU facilities or at a check-in desk for certain on-campus events. Unless authorized by University Administration, faculty, staff, and students are not permitted to make any demands to view Prodensity passes of any JHU affiliates or restrict activities based upon this information. If you have a concern or complaint regarding noncompliance of JHU COVID-19 safety measures by a member of the Hopkins community, please make a confidential report immediately via the online form or by calling 844-SPEAK2US (844-773-2528).
Affiliates may submit requests for exceptions to the vaccine requirement through VMS, the same system through which vaccine documents are submitted. Affiliates who receive an exception are required to test twice per week (once per week for School of Medicine affiliates). Affiliates who are granted a vaccine exception and who do not comply with the testing requirements will receive a red campus pass in Prodensity and will not have access to campus.
You can share your vaccination or lab result information quickly, easily and securely, right from MyChart by:
Johns Hopkins Medicine has established several convenient walk-in clinics in communities across Baltimore and Maryland. The Spot Van at Northeast Market (2101 E. Monument St., Baltimore, MD 21205) operates two mornings per week and is just two blocks from the Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Nursing.
In addition to any scheduled clinics, all Johns Hopkins affiliates in Maryland and Washington, D.C., can schedule a vaccination appointment through Johns Hopkins Medicine in MyChart. MyChart is a secure website and mobile app used by Johns Hopkins Medicine that can be used to schedule COVID-19 tests and vaccinations. More information is available at hopkinsmedicine.org.
All Johns Hopkins affiliates in Maryland and Washington, D.C., can schedule a vaccination appointment through Johns Hopkins Medicine in MyChart. Johns Hopkins University is also hosting a series of clinics where faculty, staff, students, and contractors can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations are free and staff can use COVID-19 vaccine leave for time off while they receive or recover from the vaccination. Visit the COVID Vaccine Information site for updates.
Last updated: June 22, 2021 11:30am
If you don’t already have a MyChart account, you may receive an email asking you to activate your account. MyChart is a secure website and mobile app used by Johns Hopkins Medicine that can be used to schedule COVID-19 tests and vaccinations, if you need them in the future. If you have any questions about MyChart, please send an email to Testinginfo@jhu.edu.
Last updated: June 29, 2021 3:07pm
Multiple vaccines have been demonstrated to provide high levels of protection against the COVID virus with reports of only minimal and brief side effects following administration. Ensuring that the overwhelming percentage of our community’s population is vaccinated will greatly reduce the risk of the virus’s spread on our campuses and will also protect our neighbors in Baltimore.
Johns Hopkins affiliates who are required to be vaccinated—and who were not vaccinated at a Johns Hopkins Medicine facility—can upload a photo of their COVID-19 vaccination record to the JHU Vaccine Management System. Affiliates may also submit an exception request in the VMS.
More information about submitting proof of vaccination to the VMS is available on the COVID Info website.
We encourage anyone interested in learning more about the science of the vaccine to visit Johns Hopkins Medicine’s COVID-19 Vaccine Safety website.
Last updated: July 12, 2021 2:52pm
COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate and graduate students who will be working or studying at a U.S.-based university campus or worksite, beginning Aug. 1. That includes:
Medical and religious exceptions will be made where appropriate.
School of Medicine affiliates will be governed by Johns Hopkins Health System vaccination policies.
“Worksite” includes locations that are not within the Homewood, East Baltimore, or Washington, DC campuses, such as but not limited to Keswick, Mt. Washington, etc.
Visitors who fall under the JHU Visitor Policy (i.e., visiting faculty, students, and scholars) are subject to the vaccination mandate.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 1:37pm
Individuals who are, with permission of their supervisor, working in a fully remote capacity and do not visit any Johns Hopkins worksite or third-party location on behalf of JHU are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. They should change their status in Prodensity to indicate that they will not be coming on campus.
Contractors or vendors whose presence at any JHU property is solely limited to the delivery of goods are exempt.
Students who are enrolled in entirely online programs and do not utilize Johns Hopkins facilities, and non-degree and non-credit students, including those attending the Peabody Preparatory, are exempt.
Guests (individuals who are on campus and not subject to the JHU Visitor Policy), which includes those on campus for short periods for tours, meetings, and public events are exempt.
Medical and religious exceptions will be made using the standard vaccine exemption process in Vaccine Management System.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 1:38pm
You are eligible for a booster if you got your second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine five months ago or more, or the single shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than two months ago.
Note: The JHU requirement is that a Pfizer or Moderna booster must be completed six months after the date of your last Pfizer/Moderna vaccination or two months after your J&J vaccination (even if you became eligible sooner, based on the type of vaccine that you got). You will have two weeks after the deadline to upload your documentation to the Vaccine Management System.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 1:39pm
Booster appointments can be made now through MyChart or at state and local vaccination sites and pharmacies. Additional on-campus clinics for boosters are in the process of being scheduled. See the Coronavirus Information website for the most up-to-date information.
Last updated: Dec 27, 2021 8:49am
Only mRNA boosters (Pfizer/Moderna) will be accepted. If you already received a J&J booster, you may wait 6 months to get the mRNA booster. If you were vaccinated with a non-FDA-approved vaccine (e.g., Sinopharm, Sinovac, etc.), you are immediately eligible for a booster (you may wait 28 days following your last dose). Only one booster dose (either Pfizer or Moderna) is required for those individuals.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 3:31pm
If you have already had two shots of the J&J vaccine (a base dose and a J&J booster), you should get a Pfizer or Moderna booster when you become eligible, six months after your second J&J shot. Make sure your J&J booster date is uploaded in the Vaccine Management System.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 1:40pm
Log in to Vaccine Management System and select “Submit new vaccination.” Then select “COVID-19 Booster” from the drop-down menu (make sure you don’t select “COVID-19”).
Last updated: Dec 27, 2021 8:51am
If you didn’t get monoclonal antibodies during your infection, then you can get the booster as soon as you have recovered (typically 10 days or so afterward). If you did receive monoclonal antibodies as a part of your treatment, you should wait 90 days before you get the booster. If that’s the case, you should request a medical exception in Vaccine Management System so that you get the additional time. To do so, log in to VMS and select “Request exception” and the system will lead you through the process.
Last updated: Dec 27, 2021 8:53am
If you have gotten a vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization but not one authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, you are immediately eligible for a booster (you may wait 28 days following your last dose). Only one booster dose (either Pfizer or Moderna) is required for those individuals. This is a change from previous university policy (which required those with international vaccines to be revaccinated), based on emerging science related to the efficacy of boosters.
Last updated: Dec 27, 2021 8:54am
Yes. Faculty and staff can take up to two days off to be vaccinated and/or to recover from any side effects of the vaccine. See JHU HR Information Regarding Novel Coronavirus for details.
Last updated: June 30, 2021 12:41pm
Yes. You are permitted 30 minutes of time off for testing. (This does not need to be accounted for specifically in your E210 time sheet.)
Last updated: Aug 3, 2021 2:08pm
Anyone returning from abroad who may not have access to a U.S.-authorized vaccine before returning to campus can receive their vaccine in the U.S.—either at one of our JHU clinics, at Johns Hopkins Medicine, or elsewhere. Individuals returning from abroad will receive a six-week grace period upon return to campus to submit proof of vaccination. This allows time for a full course of vaccination (two doses) plus two weeks to become “fully vaccinated” after receipt of the second shot. All affiliates must upload proof of vaccination to the JHU Vaccine Management System as soon as possible after receiving their final dose.
In addition, employees who are in this grace period and not yet fully vaccinated must be tested twice weekly.
Last updated: Sep 29, 2021 2:29pm
The mandate includes non-employees who provide services to the university community and whose primary work location is on university properties located in Maryland or Washington, D.C., regardless of employer, with the exception of contractors or vendors whose presence at any JHU property is solely limited to the delivery of goods.
Last updated: June 9, 2021 12:53pm
Yes. COVID-19 safety protocols will remain in place until there is a decline in COVID cases in Maryland.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 1:42pm
Managers and business partners have a business need-to-know in many situations, and are allowed to ask about vaccine status. However, it is not the same for colleagues/peers. Asking why an individual did not receive a vaccination may elicit private information about a disability and forcing a co-worker to disclose a disability could be noncompliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In other words, asking about status is only allowed if it is “job-related and consistent with business necessity,” which means that JHU and managers can ask their direct reports, as can HR business partners. However, peers/colleagues do not have a business necessity to know this. Therefore, while you may be allowed to ask your coworker, they have the right to refuse to tell you (and vice versa).
Last updated: June 22, 2021 12:05pm
Your manager and divisional HR business partner will have access to see your status but will not know why you were granted an exception, if you have one. Managers and HR have permission to access this information for business-related reasons (such as when it is a requirement for working in person), to ensure that everyone is being compliant with the vaccination mandate or the masking and COVID testing requirements associated with an approved exception to the mandate.
Last updated: July 1, 2021 3:32pm
All JHU employees (faculty, staff, bargaining unit members, contractors, and postdoctoral fellows), including School of Medicine employees, are required to be vaccinated unless they have obtained an approved exception. Only FDA-authorized COVID vaccines are accepted. These three vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, J&J/Janssen) have all shown effectiveness against known COVID-19 variants.
New employees may submit a request for a religious or medical exception to the vaccine requirement through the Vaccine Management System (VMS). The request must be submitted and approved within two weeks of the first day of employment.
If the new employee does not show progress toward compliance with the vaccination requirement, their Prodensity app will show a red campus pass, which indicates they are out of compliance and should not be on-campus until they complete the required steps.
New JHU employees (except School of Medicine new hires) are required to be vaccinated and receive a COVIS booster. Proof of vaccination should be uploaded to VMS as soon as possible, and no later than two weeks after the first day of employment. Booster documentation should also be uploaded to VMS no later than two weeks after the first day of employment or booster eligibility, whichever is later. If the new employee received a non-FDA vaccine (e.g., Sinopharm, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, etc.), they can go on to mRNA booster without revaccination. Visit the COVID Vaccination + Booster Information page on this website for additional information.
All new JHU School of Medicine employees are required to be vaccinated, but the COVID booster is not required. Proof of vaccination should be uploaded to VMS as soon as possible, and no later than two weeks after the first day of employment. If the new employee received a non-FDA vaccine (e.g., Sinopharm, Sinovac, AstraZeneca, etc.), they must be revaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J).
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 2:51pm
Yes. Medical and religious exceptions will be made using the standard vaccine exemption process in the Vaccine Management System.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 2:53pm
The only true contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine are 1) a severe anaphylactic reaction to a prior dose of one of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (requiring the use of epinephrine or EpiPen) or 2) an allergy to a component of the vaccine.
If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Affiliates may request a medical exception to wait to get the vaccine until the 90-days has elapsed.
NOTE: Having had COVID-19 in the past is NOT a permissible criterion for an exception.
Last updated: June 23, 2021 12:21pm
Testing requirements will be increased for affiliates who have not been vaccinated and/or have not received the booster, and who do not work at the School of Medicine. The requirements are:
Face-coverings will continue to be required in indoor settings for faculty, staff, and students who are not fully vaccinated.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 3:11pm
Having an exception does not automatically grant employees permission to work from home. Employees should work with their manager and divisional HR director if they need additional accommodations such as fully remote work. In addition, they may be required to submit an accommodation request.
Last updated: June 30, 2021 12:38pm
Yes. All JHU undergraduate and graduate students who will be on-campus in the United States attending classes, performing duties, and/or participating in on-campus activities, including commencement events, will be required to upload documentation of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine or receive an exception.
Last updated: Oct 13, 2021 4:03pm
Only FDA-approved/-authorized COVID vaccines will be accepted. These three vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, J&J/Janssen) have all shown effectiveness against known variants. Individuals who work or study in the School of Medicine have have not received one of these vaccines must be revaccinated with a full course of one of these vaccines upon arrival—that is two doses, properly spaced, of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, and one of J&J/Janssen. Individuals who are not in the School of Medicine are not required to be revaccinated.
Only mRNA boosters (Pfizer/Moderna) will be accepted. If you already received a J&J booster, you may wait six months to get the mRNA booster. If you were vaccinated with a non-FDA-approved vaccine (e.g., Sinopharm, Sinovac, etc.), you are immediately eligible for a booster (you may wait 28 days following your last dose). Only one booster dose (either Pfizer or Moderna) is required for those individuals.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 3:31pm
While there are as yet no controlled studies on revaccination, Johns Hopkins vaccine, medical, and public health experts do not believe there is a risk to “double” or “cross-platform” vaccination, and do see potentially significant benefits for individuals and for public health within our community more broadly. Indeed, double vaccination is not that much different than boosters or vaccination post–COVID, which is done frequently without adverse effects.
Last updated: Aug 23, 2021 8:53am
JHU affiliates who do not work or study in the School of Medicine are not required to be revaccinated. If you were vaccinated with a non-FDA-approved vaccine (e.g., Sinopharm, Sinovac, etc.), you are immediately eligible for a booster (you may wait 28 days following your last dose). Only one booster dose (either Pfizer or Moderna) is required for those individuals.
If you work or study in the School of Medicine, you must be revaccinated as soon as possible (you may wait up to 28 days after your most recent international vaccination to begin the required revaccination process). Until you are fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose), you are required to test twice weekly. While you are permitted to be vaccinated at any U.S. pharmacy or other vaccination location, it may be easiest to get revaccinated through Johns Hopkins University or Johns Hopkins Medicine. More information on how to get revaccinated is available on the Revaccination for International Affiliates page of this website.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 3:47pm
No, but you need to submit proof of being revaccinated once you are done receiving the FDA-authorized vaccines. Once you complete your vaccinations, please upload to the Vaccine Management System.
Until you are fully vaccinated (two weeks after your final dose), you are required to test twice weekly and to wear a mask (even if the current JHU-wide mask policy changes and vaccinated affiliates are no longer required to wear a mask).
Last updated: Aug 23, 2021 9:24am
Yes, individuals who work or study outside of the School of Medicine may receive one booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).
If you work or study in the School of Medicine, you must follow Johns Hopkins Health System guidance and are required to be revaccinated with an FDA-approved vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J).
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 3:50pm
Requests for exceptions should be made through the Vaccine Management System (VMS). Medical and religious exceptions will be granted with appropriate documentation.
Note that the only true medical contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine are 1) a severe anaphylactic reaction to a prior dose of one of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (requiring the use of epinephrine or EpiPen) or 2) an allergy to a component of the vaccine.
If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Affiliates may request a medical exception to wait to get the vaccine until the 90-days has elapsed.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 3:50pm
The only true contraindications to the COVID-19 vaccine are 1) a severe anaphylactic reaction to a prior dose of one of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (requiring the use of epinephrine or EpiPen) or 2) an allergy to a component of the vaccine.
If you were treated for COVID-19 symptoms with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Affiliates may request a medical exception to wait to get the vaccine until the 90-days has elapsed.
NOTE: Having had COVID-19 in the past is NOT a permissible criterion for an exception.
Last updated: June 23, 2021 12:21pm
All students, regardless of vaccination status, are required to test twice a week. This applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 3:51pm
Students are not eligible for special accommodations solely because of the COVID-19 vaccine exception per se. Students may be eligible for accommodations if the medical exception is based on a condition that itself would qualify them for a single room.
Last updated: June 8, 2021 9:01am
All JHU affiliates must log in to the Vaccine Management System (VMS) to upload their flu, COVID, and COVID booster vaccination documentation.
Last updated: Jan 12, 2022 3:53pm
Yes. All students, employees, and contractors who are on-campus must complete a daily health check using Prodensity. If you are 100% remote or online, you should change your status to indicate you will not be coming on campus using Prodensity. For more information, read a Prodensity tutorial on how to ensure your status is up-to-date.
Last updated: Aug 26, 2021 8:50am
The university asks that vaccination documentation in other languages be translated (and certified) before they are uploaded to the forthcoming Vaccine Management System. All affiliates will electronically sign their submission to affirm that the information that they provided is accurate.
Last updated: June 22, 2021 12:15pm
No.
Last updated: June 22, 2021 12:16pm
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has confirmed that Federal EEO laws do not prevent an employer from requiring all employees physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19, so long as employers provide reasonable accommodations and other EEO considerations. The EEOC does not consider questions about vaccination status to be medical inquiries. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, provides protections for patients’ confidential health information, and it covers what your health care provider can share with others—not employers and what they can ask for.
Last updated: June 23, 2021 5:01pm
You can upload a JPEG, HEIC (iPhone), or PNG photo of your vaccination card or a PDF copy of a vaccination record.
Last updated: July 22, 2021 10:45am
If you were vaccinated in Maryland, you can register and obtain your COVID-19 vaccination record from Maryland MyIR, a free website service that allows consumers to view and print copies of their official vaccination records directly from ImmuNet, Maryland’s immunization information system. Just register, download or print a copy of your certification of vaccination, and upload it into VMS.
If you were not vaccinated in Maryland, your doctor’s office or the location where you were vaccinated (e.g., CVS, Walgreens, etc.) should have a record and you should reach out to them to get a copy. You may also be able to locate this on your patient portal or on the pharmacy website under prescription records or immunization record.
Last updated: July 1, 2021 2:18pm
