To the University Community:
We are writing to inform you that the COVID-19 vaccination will no longer be required of University of Rochester students, faculty and staff. This transition aligns with the end of the federal COVID public health emergency, and New York State’s recent decision to begin the full repeal of its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for employees at hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. The University will lift the vaccine requirement for its health-care workers in accordance with Department of Health guidelines when the repeal is final, which is expected to happen later in June. The requirement will be lifted effective June 5, 2023 for the rest of the University community.
We are encouraged by the data showing low rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations nationwide and locally. However, we have learned that things can change quickly with respect to COVID and other infectious diseases and we will continue to respond appropriately, and do all that we can to protect our students, faculty, staff and community.
While the University will no longer mandate COVID vaccination, staying up to date on COVID vaccines and boosters remains strongly encouraged to protect against the virus’s severe effects, and to mitigate the illness in the community. Current data supports vaccination, showing that for those who are not vaccinated, the incidence of COVID is three times greater and the risk of death is four times greater.
We appreciate your cooperation with the University’s COVID policies over the past three years. Adherence to the vaccination, masking and physical distancing policies was very important in responding to COVID, and we’ve taken a thoughtful, measured approach in peeling back these measures one at a time, always aligning with the current risk of the virus and its impact on our health system, state and federal guidelines, and maintaining the health and safety of our entire University community.
Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
President and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor
David Figlio
Provost and Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education
Mark Taubman, M.D.
CEO, University of Rochester Medical Center and Dean, School of Medicine and Dentistry
Kathleen Gallucci
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer