Vaccine Database Launch, Arrival Posture, Campus Life

Dear Carnegie Mellon Students:

I write today to announce the launch of CMU’s COVID-19 Vaccine Database and to provide information about arrival protocols as we begin the fall semester.

Vaccine Database

All enrolled students must participate to comply with CMU’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Consistent with scientific evidence on the importance of vaccine adoption to control spread of the virus, to the extent permissible by law, Carnegie Mellon University is requiring all enrolled students to be vaccinated for COVID-19, effective this fall semester.

All students can now securely and confidentially submit documentation of their COVID-19 vaccine via the HealthConnect portal. In keeping with other immunization requirements, we ask that all students upload their documentation no later than August 2nd. Students requesting to be exempted for a medical (PDF), religious belief/strong moral or ethical conviction (PDF) will need to complete an application for exemption form.

Once submitted, the application will be reviewed, and applicants will receive a secure message through HealthConnect notifying them of the decision. Faculty and staff will also be participating in the database; information is being sent to them under separate cover.

When logging in to HealthConnect, you will be able to update your contact information, upload an image of your COVID-19 vaccine card or document of record, schedule a Tartan Testing appointment if you have not been fully vaccinated, and view your Tartan Testing results. Additional instructions on how to input your information can be found on the COVID-19 website (Vaccine Database page).

Arrival Posture and Quarantine

Arrival quarantines will not be required before coming to campus for the fall semester, however all students will be required to complete two baseline asymptomatic COVID-19 tests through Tartan Testing. Information about beginning of the semester testing will be communicated in early August. Those who are not fully vaccinated (two weeks after the final vaccine dose) with a WHO emergency use listed or U.S. emergency use authorized vaccine will be required to start the vaccination process as they begin engaging in campus life (e.g., orientation programs, moving into residence halls, coming to class, joining research activities, etc.).

Any students awaiting full vaccination status and those who receive an approved exemption will be expected to participate in mitigation activities including weekly Tartan Testing, wearing facial coverings and participating in the Daily Self-Assessment.

Carnegie Mellon will offer on-campus COVID-19 vaccine clinics regularly in August and September for those needing vaccinations. More details on dates for those clinics will be provided shortly. To assist with our planning, we highly encourage students who anticipate the need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 on campus to indicate their interest on this webpage.

Thank you for your participation to support the health and well-being of our community. I look forward to the arrival of our full community as we begin the new academic year.

Sincerely,

Gina Casalegno
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students