Update June 12, 2023: This policy is no longer in effect.
Sent: Sept 13, 2021
This message was sent to faculty, librarians, and other academic personnel who had not yet attested that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or who previously claimed an exemption in Workday. The guidance below does not apply to campus staff, academic student employees, campus student workers, or medical center staff, who will receive guidance directly from UWHR or UW Medicine.
Our records indicate that you have not yet attested to being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which is now a condition of employment. The deadline to attest in Workday was Friday, September 10. If you are vaccinated or claiming an exemption, please complete your attestation in Workday now.
If you requested a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement, you have until Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 to fully complete the required process below.
MEDICAL EXEMPTION AND ACCOMMODATION: If you have an underlying medical condition and/or disability that prevents you from receiving an authorized COVID-19 vaccine, your healthcare provider must complete the UW COVID-19 Medical Exemption Form, which will be reviewed by UW Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S).
Step 1: Download the UW COVID-19 Medical Exemption Form and complete the Patient section. Ask your licensed healthcare provider (MD, DO, ND, ARNP, PA) to complete the rest of the form and return it to you.
Step 2: Log into the secure Vaccination Exemption Request tool to submit your completed UW COVID-19 Medical Exemption Form.
Step 3: You will be notified by email of the decision, and if approved for an exemption, you will also be notified of the enhanced safety measures you will need to take.
RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION AND ACCOMMODATION: If you have a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance that prevents you from being vaccinated against COVID-19, you are required to complete the online Vaccine Religious Accommodation Request Form which will be reviewed by the Office for Academic Personnel and Faculty (APF).
Step 1: Log into the secure Vaccination Exemption Request tool to complete a series of questions required to process your religious exemption request.
Step 2: You will be notified by email of the decision, and if approved for an exemption, you will also be notified of the enhanced safety measures you will need to take.
Employees must be fully vaccinated to meet the Washington state vaccination requirement. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your last dose, whether that is the second dose for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
There are many local places where you can be vaccinated, including UW Medicine, doctor’s offices and pharmacies.
To be fully vaccinated — and thus in compliance with the requirement by the Oct. 18 deadline — you must start your vaccinations no later than the following dates:
• First dose of two-dose Pfizer vaccine: Today, Sept. 13
• Single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine: By Monday, Oct. 4 (There is currently a shortage of this vaccine in the state so please consider Pfizer).
The deadline to receive the first dose of the two-dose Moderna vaccine was Monday, Sept. 6.
We appreciate your cooperation and support in this effort as we work together to ensure that the University community remains a safe place for everyone.
It is important that you take action in order to maintain your employment at the University of Washington. Governor Inslee’s proclamation provides that employees who are unable to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and are not approved for a medical or religious exemption will not be able to engage in work for the University of Washington after Oct. 18, 2021 and will be subject to separation from the University of Washington in compliance with provisions of relevant employment policies and labor contracts.
If you have any questions, contact acadpers@uw.edu.