Vaccine

GW requires students, faculty, and staff in GW-owned or -operated facilities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they receive an approved exemption.

The following guidance applies to this new requirement:

• Any vaccine authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO) will be accepted. This information may change as the FDA and WHO authorize (or approve) additional vaccines.
• Vaccination cards must be uploaded to the medical portal.  Instructions for this process are available here.
• We will grant limited exemptions, such as for medical or religious reasons.  
• We will exercise discretion in enforcing the mandate for those who have extenuating circumstances that are beyond their control and that will cause delays in vaccination.

More detailed information about this requirement is available in our FAQs.
 

Vaccine Availability

The GW Medical Faculty Associates' (MFA) COVID-19 Clinic is open for walk-in or scheduled appointments at 703 23rd St., NW.

• You may schedule an appointment online. The clinic is open Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m - 3:30 p.m.

We encourage our community members to get the vaccine in the jurisdiction where they live and work as soon as possible.  Information on additional vaccine distribution is below. 

Vaccine Documentation Verification

Members of the GW community must upload their COVID-19 vaccination records to the medical portal for verification by a medical provider. If you only have partially completed a two-dose vaccine series, please upload the documentation you currently have so that your partial compliance can be noted.   Once verified, fully vaccinated individuals may also be exempt from travel quarantines.

If you have received the COVID-19 vaccine, you should still continue following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others. 

Instructions to Upload COVID-19 Vaccine Documentation: 

• Take a photo or scan your vaccination record, and keep a copy for your own records. 
• Log into the medical portal.
• Click on the "Enter My COVID-19 Vaccination Information" button on the Home screen.
• On the pop-up window, click the "Upload" button to upload a copy or photo of your vaccination record (you are not required to enter any dates). 

The Colonial Health Center (students) or Occupational Health (faculty and staff) will review your vaccination record and add it to your medical record. This is a manual process and may take up to a week for your record to be updated. 

Guidance on COVID-19 Booster Shots 

At this time, COVID-19 booster shots are not required by the university. However, if you are eligible (see below) receiving a booster is strongly recommended. Please be aware that if you receive a booster, you must continue to participate in the university’s asymptomatic testing program and abide by campus health protocols, such as mask wearing. We also recommend that you upload your booster documentation to the medical portal. 

Booster shots currently are recommended by the CDC for those who have completed the Pfizer vaccine series at least six months ago and meet the following criteria:

• Individuals over the age of 65
• Individuals who live in long term care settings
• Adults who are immune-compromised or have other health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, kidney disease and others 
• Adults who are at high risk due to occupational or institutional settings, such as healthcare workers and those working in education
• Boosters are not currently recommended for most healthy people under the age of 65.

If you are eligible for a booster, you may visit the GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) COVID-19 Clinic. In Virginia, GW Nursing is partnering with My Dr's Pharmacy to administer COVID-19 boosters; appointments are required.

Many retail pharmacies and doctors offices also offer the COVID-19 booster. 

Exemption Requests

We will grant limited exemptions, such as for medical or religious reasons.
 

• Faculty and staff who wish to request an exemption should complete the faculty and staff exemption form and submit it through the medical portal. Instructions for uploading the exemption form are as follows:
  • Log into the medical portal.
  • Click on "Messages" (left column).
  • Select "New Message." 
  • From the Communications Options available, choose "Occupational Health (Faculty/Staff Only) and click "Continue."
  • On the Message Form, provide the following information: 
    • Subject: COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption
    • Attachments: You must attach the completed COVID-19 exemption form and documentation to support an exempt status. 
  • Click "Send." Your documents have been submitted to the Occupational Health team. 
  • It may take several days to review your record. You will be notified by the team when your exemption status has been reviewed.
  • For questions, contact GW Occupational Health at 202-677-6230 or [email protected].

• Students seeking exemption from any of the immunization requirements for medical or religious reasons must follow the guidance below:
  • If you are seeking an exemption due to a good faith religious objection, you must submit a personal letter explaining how the vaccination violates your religious beliefs.
  • If you are seeking an exemption for medical reasons, a personal statement of need for a medical exemption, and a letter from the attending clinician may be required. 
  • Upload your documents to the medical portal.
  • For questions, please email the Colonial Health Center at [email protected].

Gaining Access to Campus

GW community members can gain access to campus spaces by uploading proof of vaccination, getting a return to campus test and following a regular monthly testing protocol. The limited number of students, faculty and staff who have been granted vaccine exemptions will need also need a return to campus test and will need to adhere to a weekly testing protocol.

To access campus spaces, students, faculty and staff need to follow a series of steps detailed here.

Vaccine Research at GW

For more information about GW's vaccine research, visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Trials at GW website.

#GWGetTheShot