COVID-19 Vaccination Compliance - New CU Boulder policy impacts COVID-19 vaccine exemption options: Undergraduate and Graduate Students

On Sept. 9, 2021, President Biden announced an executive order requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for employees of federal contractors, including universities and other workplaces that employ more than 100 people and receive federal funding.

The new exemption requirements will also apply to all CU Boulder students. While the general student population is not part of the federal requirements issued on Sept. 9, 2021, the university is making this change 1) because we have large numbers of undergraduate and graduate students who are employed by the university and 2) to ensure an equitable approach to all exemptions on campus.

Student impacts

In alignment with updated university policies, all undergraduate and graduate students who submitted a non-medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine will be required to submit a new exemption form or provide proof of vaccination through the MyCUHealth portal by Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Personal exemptions will no longer be accepted. Only medical or religious exemptions are now allowed. A religious exemption can be requested based on moral or ethical beliefs as to what is right or wrong that are held sincerely with the strength of traditional religious views.

Note: This expanded requirement covers only the initial course of vaccinations, not boosters.

If you don’t meet the deadline…

Students who do not comply with this requirement and have not been granted a medical or religious exemption by the Jan. 1 deadline will be issued a late fee and registration hold.

Student employees who do not comply with this requirement and have not been granted a medical or religious exemption by the Jan. 1 deadline will be placed on unpaid leave effective Jan. 1, 2022, assessed a late fee and be issued a registration hold.

How to meet the new requirements

All CU Boulder undergraduate and graduate students who submitted a non-medical exemption form for the COVID-19 vaccine must submit a new exemption form or provide proof of vaccination through MyCUHealth. Only medical or religious exemptions are now allowed.

In order to meet the Jan. 1 deadline, it is important that you take action as soon as possible in order to receive all necessary vaccine doses and upload proof to the MyCUHealth portal. 

Please keep in mind that you are not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after you receive the full course of vaccine. Your final dose must occur two weeks prior to Jan. 1 to be in compliance. 

Additionally, timeframes may vary depending on the vaccine manufacturer:

  • Pfizer:Requires two (2) doses to be administered at least 21 days apart. If you choose to receive the Pfizer vaccine, your first dose must be administered by Nov. 27 and second dose by Dec. 18.

  • Moderna: Requires two (2) doses to be administered at least 28 days apart. If you choose to receive the Moderna vaccine, your first dose must be administered by Nov. 20 and second dose by Dec. 18.

  • Janssen (Johnson & Johnson): Requires a single (1) dose, which must be administered by Dec. 18.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has fully approved the Pfizer vaccine and has issued emergency use authorization for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Where to get the vaccine

All CU Boulder students, staff and faculty can receive the Pfizer vaccine for free on campus by scheduling an appointment through the MyCUHealth Portal. Additional vaccine locations are available throughout the greater Boulder and Denver areas.

Questions and additional information

For more information, please visit our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements page.

If you have any questions, please contact the Immunizations Team by calling 303-492-5051 (ext. 4) or emailing whc-immunizations@colorado.edu. 

For additional information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and the exemption process, review the following course.