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Vaccine Mandate Final Reminder: Faculty, Librarians, and Other Academic Personnel

June 12, 2023 Update: This policy is no longer in effect.

Sent: Sept 22, 2021

This message was sent to faculty, librarians, and other academic personnel who hadn’t started the medical or religious exemption process and for whom we don’t have a record of attesting in Workday to being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 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.

Good afternoon,

Our records indicate that you did not attest in Workday to being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and that you have not started the medical or religious exemption process. This is our final reminder that if you wish to request a medical or religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, which is now a condition of employment, you have until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, to fully complete the required process below.

If you were recently employed and this is your first communication regarding the COVID-19 vaccination requirement and exemption process, additional information is available at COVID-19 Vaccination a Condition of Employment/Appointment.

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 and sign 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 of Academic Personnel.

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.

If a medical or religious exemption does not fit your personal circumstances, please make your vaccination appointment as soon as possible. Governor Inslee’s proclamation requires that faculty, librarians and other academic personnel who are unable to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination and are not approved for a medical or religious exemption and accommodation 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.

There are many local places where you can be vaccinated, including UW Medicine, doctor’s offices and pharmacies. The deadline to receive the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine is Monday, Oct. 4.

UW Medicine: Some School of Medicine employees whose vaccination status was verified through the UW Medicine process may not yet be showing up in Workday records causing you to get these reminders in error. If this applies to you, please disregard this message.

If you have any questions, please contact your Academic HR Business Partner at acadpers@uw.edu.