COVID-19 Vaccination Compliance - New federal mandate impacts COVID-19 vaccine exemption options: Faculty, Faculty, staff, graduate student appointments, student employees

You are receiving this email because you need to submit or update your exemption or proof of vaccination. 

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

Employee impacts

Under the new federal requirements, all CU Boulder staff, faculty, graduate student appointments and student employees who submitted a non-medical exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine will be required to submit a new exemption 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. 

This requirement applies to:

  • University staff and faculty
  • Graduate student appointments
  • Student employees
  • Employees who work on or support others working on federal contracts or agreements

If you don’t meet the deadline...

Those who do not comply with this requirement and have not been granted a medical or religious exemption by the Jan. 1 deadline will be subject to disciplinary action. 

  • You will not be eligible for any compensation increases that were approved by the Board of Regents, effective Jan. 1, 2022. 
  • Additionally, you may be placed on unpaid leave beginning Jan. 1, 2022.
  • Continued non-compliance will continue to be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

How to meet the new requirements

All CU Boulder staff and faculty 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 (Janssen) Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Where to get the vaccine

Vaccine locations are available throughout the greater Boulder and Denver areas. The “Find your vaccination” page includes a list of vaccination locations and includes which vaccines are available at each location.

Questions and additional information

For more information about the new requirement, 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.