Vaccine

The George Washington University requires students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including a booster shot, 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.

GW’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Fall 2022 New, Incoming Students

GW requires all members of our community to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including a booster shot, or have an exemption on file. To be fully vaccinated means completing your first booster five months after two doses of Pfizer or Moderna and two months after one dose of Johnson & Johnson. Students are not required to complete the second booster that is currently recommended for individuals over 50 or who are immunosuppressed.

All new, incoming undergraduate students (first-years and transfers) must upload their vaccine documentation by July 1. If you are not in compliance with GW’s vaccine and booster requirement by July 1, you will not be able to move into your residence halls and will not be able to register for fall classes on your designated registration day.  

All new, incoming graduate, law and medical students must upload their COVID-19 vaccination documentation and have it verified before they are able to register for fall classes based on their program’s registration schedule.  

Vaccine and Booster Availability

The GW Medical Faculty Associates’ Vaccine Center offers free vaccine and booster doses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Walk-ins are welcome, but you may also schedule an appointment online. If you have questions, please email [email protected].

If you are making an appointment for a booster dose, all appointments scheduled online appear as "First Dose" on the scheduling page and then are adjusted in the clinic.  

In Virginia, GW Nursing is partnering with My Dr's Pharmacy to administer COVID-19 boosters; appointments are required.

Many local health departments, retail pharmacies (such as CVS)  and doctors offices also offer the COVID-19 booster. 

Vaccine and Booster Documentation Verification

Members of the GW community must upload their COVID-19 vaccination and booster 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 and Booster Documentation: 

• Take a photo or scan your vaccination or booster 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 or booster record (you are not required to enter any dates). 

The Colonial Health Center (students) or Occupational Health (faculty and staff) will review your vaccination or booster 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. 

If you have issues uploading your booster documentation, you may send it in an attachment to Colonial Health Center (students) at [email protected] or Occupational Health (faculty and staff) at [email protected].  
 

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].

Vaccine Research at GW

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

#GWGetTheShot