Community Notifications

Dear MCPHS Faculty, Staff, and Contractors,

As we are approaching the middle of the semester we wanted to bring to your attention some important information in regards to testing and symptom reporting.
It is expected that you check your COVID-19 test results in the CoVerified app to confirm you have received a negative test result prior to coming to campus. You may need to refresh your app for the most current update.

When your test result is ready, Ellkay will send you a notification via email (NoReply@lknotification.com), CoVerified will also send a notification to the app; however, you still need to review the test result in the CoVerified app to verify you have a negative result as opposed to an inconclusive result. If your test result is inconclusive, you will not be able to access campus. Following an inconclusive test result, you should immediately schedule another test at one of MCPHS's testing centers.

Inconclusive tests are typically due to an inadequate sample:

• It is important to blow your nose well prior to testing
• Slowly swirl the cotton tip touching the inside of your nostril at least 4-5 times on each side for a total of 15 seconds.
• Place the swab with the cotton side down into the tube.

Always remember to check the label on the tube to ensure your information is correct. Test results typically arrive anywhere from 24-48 hours.

It is your responsibility to maintain the required testing cadence.

Information regarding the location of the testing centers at each campus can be found below:

• The Boston campus testing site is located adjacent to the Fennell building on Palace Road.
• The Worcester campus testing site is located behind 10 Lincoln Square at the corner of School Street.
• The Manchester campus testing site is located in the lower lot of the Manchester campus, off Hollis Street.

Please refer to the COVID-19 Testing Schedule webpage for more information on testing schedule frequency, hours of operation, and the CoVerified app.

As we approach allergies/cold and flu season many symptoms are consistent with COVID-19 symptoms. If you are experiencing any new symptoms than what you typically experience please submit your symptoms to the app and schedule to be tested. If you are actively ill with a cold or the flu do not come to campus, report your symptoms and test. If you are ill, stay home to recover and test prior to coming to campus.

Thank you,
The MCPHS COVID-19 Team

August 29, 2021

Dear MCPHS Community,

We are very pleased to report that 98% of all on-campus Community members are expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the fall 2021 semester this week, in compliance with the University's requirement. Vaccination exemptions have been approved for the remaining 2% of the on-campus Community. The COVID-19 website has been updated with the latest MCPHS Community vaccination percentages for on-campus students, faculty, and staff. Please visit https://www.mcphs.edu/covid for more details on the vaccination requirement, testing schedules and statistics, and other health and safety measures that the University is taking against COVID-19.

Additionally, we would like to thank all our on-campus Community members in advance for your commitment to testing up to two times per week and complying with the mask-wearing requirement for all shared indoor settings. As in the past, the MCPHS COVID-19 Team will continue contact tracing, and MCPHS facilities staff will maintain stringent cleaning protocols. We are confident that our communal vaccination effort coupled with continued testing, contact tracing, masking requirements, and facility disinfecting, will keep everyone on campus safe this fall.

We are all looking forward to welcoming students and colleagues back to campus this week and are eager to join a renewed campus life that preserves both the best of the pre-pandemic experience and the learning innovations of the past eighteen months.

Be well,
Richard J. Lessard, President
Caroline Zeind, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
MCPHS COVID-19 Team

August 26, 2021

Dear MCPHS Students:

We wanted to remind you about what to expect when coming to campus for the fall 2021 term. In this email, you will find information about MCPHS COVID-19 testing requirements and guidance on your pre-arrival testing, arrival, and ongoing testing requirements, as well as general COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and post-vaccine protocols.

This information is also available on the COVID-19 website.

Our procedures on campus continue to be based on science and the most up-to-date guidance from public health experts as well as CDC, state, and local health authorities. Our first priority is, and will always be, the health and safety of our students and other Community members.

PRE-ARRIVAL TESTING INFORMATION

• All students must obtain a pre-arrival PCR COVID-19 test and be prepared to provide proof of a negative test result in order to come to campus to move into University housing or attend classes.
• Students arriving on campus must have had their test swab sample taken not more than 72 hours prior to arrival on campus. For example, if you are scheduled to be on campus August 31^st, 2021 you must have proof of a negative test result conducted not earlier than August 28^th, 2021.
  • Students who have not received their negative test result will have to quarantine in their residence hall or off-campus housing until they receive a negative test result. Therefore, in order to ensure that you have received a valid test result, it is highly recommended that you get your test taken three days prior to your arrival on campus.
  • Students who have a negative test result that is more than 72 hours old will be tested on campus and will have to quarantine in their residence hall or off-campus housing until they receive a negative test result.
  • Students who arrive on campus for classes without a negative pre-arrival test taken not more than 72 hours prior to arrival will not be permitted on campus.
  • Individuals with symptoms consistent with a prospective COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of a negative test, result will not be allowed on campus.
• Residential students may bring two guests, such as a family member or friend, to help them move in during their two-hour window. Guests must also obtain a COVID-19 test not more than 72 hours before move-in and must be prepared to provide proof of a negative test result.
• If you live within close proximity to one of MCPHS’s three campuses, you may schedule your pre-arrival test on that campus. Be aware that the test may take up to 48 hours to return results and the test swab sample must be taken not more than 72 hours prior to arrival on campus.
  • The Boston campus testing sites are located adjacent to the Fennell building on Palace Road.
  • The Worcester campus testing site is located behind 10 Lincoln Square (corner of School Street and Major Taylor Blvd).
  • The Manchester campus testing site is located in the lower lot of the Manchester campus, off of 49 Hollis Street.

Please download the Testing Center hours of operation for the latest testing days and times. Test time availability is on a first-come-first-served basis.

The CoVerified mobile application is what we use to schedule COVID-19 tests, upload outside test results, report symptoms, and check campus clearance status. If you haven’t done so already, please download the CoVerified App prior to arriving on campus. If you have difficulty downloading the CoVerified app, please contact COVID19team@mcphs.edu or the MCPHS Help Desk.

• Students may obtain their own COVID-19 pre-arrival test from an outside provider, however, the COVID-19 team will only accept results from a PCR test. No rapid antigen tests will be accepted. MCPHS will reimburse students for any out-of-pocket testing costs related to their pre-arrival test. Ongoing testing will not be reimbursed. Please contact COVID19team@mcphs.edu with details of your expenses.
• Any COVID-19 test laboratory report from an outside facility must be uploaded to the CoVerified mobile application and include the following:
  • The complete report in English.
  • Your full name clearly visible with another identifier such as a DOB.
  • The laboratory/facility address.
  • Collection date and time
  • Results with a date and time

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

• Students will receive an arrival test when they get to campus.
• The arrival test does not replace the pre-arrival test requirement.
• Ongoing testing will also be conducted, as appropriate, up to twice per week to manage the safety of our Community. Please download the COVID-19 Testing Frequency Schedule for the latest testing requirements. Please note that unvaccinated students with an approved exemption will be required to test twice a week.
• Students are also required to report their symptoms on the CoVerified App before physically coming to campus the morning of each regularly scheduled day.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Fall 2021

• All students planning to be on campus for the fall 2021 semester are required to be fully immunized (considered 2 weeks after the last dose in the vaccine series) against the virus that causes COVID-19 and to provide record of their vaccination prior to arrival on campus.
• Student proof of vaccination was due August 1^st. If you have not done so already, upload the required documentation to Castle Branch as soon as possible for verification and approval. All students have received information on how to upload proof of vaccination to CastleBranch. Any questions about using CastleBranch should be directed to the company at customerservice@castlebranch.com or 888.723.4263. More information regarding the MCPHS Immunization Policy can be found here.
• If a student is unable to obtain one or more immunizations due to medical or religious reasons, they may upload the Vaccine Exemption Form to CastleBranch.

COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

It is critical to the health and safety of the entire MCPHS Community that each and every individual commits to:

• wearing a mask
• maintaining physical distancing
• covering coughs and sneezes
• frequently washing hands
• avoiding large groups
• monitoring health daily
• staying home when you are not well

POST-VACCINE PROTOCOLS

• COVID-19 health and safety guidelines remain in place notwithstanding COVID-19 vaccination status.
• All individuals will be required to continue wearing masks indoors and continue their respective COVID-19 testing compliance regardless of vaccination status.

We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to make our way through the pandemic.

If you have any questions about COVID-19 testing, please email COVID19team@mcphs.edu or call 617-732-2798. Stay healthy,
MCPHS COVID-19 Team

August 26, 2021

Dear MCPHS Faculty and Staff:

We wanted to remind you of what to expect when coming to campus for the fall 2021 term. In this email, you will find information about MCPHS COVID-19 testing requirements and guidance on your pre-arrival testing, arrival, and ongoing testing requirements, as well as general COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and post-vaccine protocols.

This information is also available on the COVID-19 website.

Our procedures on campus continue to be based on science and the most up-to-date guidance from public health experts as well as CDC, state, and local health authorities. Our first priority is, and will always be, the health and safety of our students and other Community members.

• If faculty and staff are not in COVID-19 testing compliance, they must have a negative COVID-19 test result that is within 72 hours of their first day back on campus. Please remember that the test may take up to 48 hours to return results.
• Following their first day back on campus in August or September, faculty and staff should plan to maintain their respective testing frequency schedule (e.g., 1x/week, 2x/week) on an ongoing basis. Please download the COVID-19 Testing Frequency Schedule for the latest testing requirements.

Testing Information

• MCPHS COVID-19 Testing Centers are open on all three campuses. Please download the Testing Center hours of operation for the latest testing days and times. Test time availability is on a first-come-first-served basis.
• COVID-19 tests can be scheduled on the CoVerified application.
• Faculty and staff may also have their own COVID-19 test taken and uploaded into the CoVerified application. The COVID-19 team will only accept results from a PCR test. No rapid antigen tests will be accepted. MCPHS will reimburse faculty and staff for any out-of-pocket testing costs related to their pre-arrival test. Ongoing testing will not be reimbursed. Please contact COVID19team@mcphs.edu with details of these expenses.
• Any COVID-19 test laboratory report from an outside facility must be uploaded to the CoVerified mobile application and include the following:
  • The complete report in English.
  • Your full name clearly visible with another identifier such as a DOB.
  • The laboratory/facility address.
  • Collection date and results.
  • Results with a date and time

Coming to Campus Information

• In addition to having a negative COVID-19 test result, faculty and staff are required to complete symptoms reporting with the CoVerified application before physically coming to campus the morning of each regularly scheduled day.
  • Individuals with symptoms consistent with a prospective COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of a negative test result, will not be allowed on campus.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Fall 2021

• All faculty and staff planning to be on campus for the fall 2021 semester are required to be fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19 and to provide record of their vaccination by August 31, 2021. Proof of vaccination can be uploaded through CoVerified.
• For those with a medical condition or sincerely held religious beliefs that preclude them from getting vaccinated, please consult with Human Resources at HR@mcphs.edu as soon as possible. For employees with a medical condition, you can also refer to the Reasonable Accommodations webpage for more information. If you have other concerns about getting vaccinated, please contact Human Resources.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines

It is critical to the health and safety of the entire MCPHS Community that each and every individual commits to:

• wearing a mask
• maintaining physical distancing
• covering coughs and sneezes
• frequently washing hands
• avoiding large groups
• monitoring health daily
• staying home when you are not well

Post-Vaccine Protocols

• COVID-19 health and safety guidelines remain in place notwithstanding COVID-19 vaccination status.
• All individuals will be required to continue wearing masks indoors and continue their respective COVID-19 testing compliance regardless of vaccination status.

We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to make our way through the pandemic.

If faculty and staff have any questions about COVID-19 testing, please email COVID19team@mcphs.edu or call 617-732-2798.

Stay healthy,
MCPHS COVID-19 Team

Dear MCPHS Students:

We wanted to update you on what to expect when coming to campus for the fall 2021 term. In this email, you will find information about MCPHS COVID-19 testing requirements and guidance on your pre-arrival testing, arrival, and ongoing testing requirements, as well as general COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and post-vaccine protocols.

This information is also available on the COVID-19 website.

Our procedures on campus continue to be based on science and the most up-to-date guidance from public health experts as well as CDC, state, and local health authorities. Our first priority is, and will always be, the health and safety of our students and other Community members.

PRE-ARRIVAL TESTING INFORMATION

• All students must obtain a pre-arrival PCR COVID-19 test and be prepared to provide proof of a negative test result in order to come to campus to move into University housing or attend classes.
• Students arriving on campus must have had their test swab sample taken not more than 72 hours prior to arrival on campus. For example, if you are scheduled to be on campus August 31^st, 2021 you must have proof of a negative test result conducted not earlier than August 28^th, 2021.
  • Students who have not received their negative test result will have to quarantine in their residence hall or off-campus housing until they receive a negative test result. Therefore, in order to ensure that you have received a valid test result, it is highly recommended that you get your test taken three days prior to your arrival on campus.
  • Students who have a negative test result that is more than 72 hours old will be tested on campus and will have to quarantine in their residence hall or off-campus housing until they receive a negative test result.
  • Students who arrive on campus for classes without a negative pre-arrival test taken not more than 72 hours prior to arrival will not be permitted on campus.
  • Individuals with symptoms consistent with a prospective COVID 19 diagnosis, regardless of a negative test, result will not be allowed on campus.
• If you live within close proximity to one of MCPHS’s three campuses, you may schedule your pre-arrival test on that campus. Be aware that the test may take up to 48 hours to return results and the test swab sample must be taken not more than 72 hours prior to arrival on campus.
  • The Boston campus testing sites are located adjacent to the Fennell building on Palace Road or in the Fennell building room 229
  • The Worcester campus testing site is located behind 10 Lincoln Square (corner of School Street and Major Taylor Blvd).
  • The Manchester campus testing site is located in the lower lot of the Manchester campus, off of 49 Hollis Street.

Please download the Testing Center hours of operation for the latest testing days and times. Test time availability is on a first-come-first-served basis.

The CoVerified mobile application is what we use to schedule COVID-19 tests, report symptoms, and check campus clearance status. If you haven’t done so already, please download the CoVerified App prior to arriving on campus. If you have difficulty downloading the CoVerified app, please contact COVID19team@mcphs.edu or the MCPHS Help Desk.

• Students may obtain their own COVID-19 pre-arrival test from an outside provider, however, the COVID-19 team will only accept results from a PCR. No rapid antigen tests will be accepted. MCPHS will reimburse students for any out-of-pocket testing costs related to their pre-arrival test. Ongoing testing will not be reimbursed. Please contact COVID19team@mcphs.edu with details of your expenses.
• Any COVID-19 test laboratory report from an outside facility must be uploaded to the CoVerified mobile application and include the following:
  • The complete report in English.
  • Your full name clearly visible with another identifier such as a DOB.
  • The laboratory/facility address.
  • Collection date and time
  • Results with a date and time
• If you do not think you will be able to get a COVID-19 pre-arrival test before you come to campus, please email COVID19team@mcphs.edu.

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

• Students will receive an arrival test when they get to campus.
• The arrival test does not replace the pre-arrival test requirement.
• Ongoing testing will also be conducted, as appropriate, up to twice per week to manage the safety of our Community. Please download the COVID-19 Testing Frequency Schedule for the latest testing requirements. Please note that unvaccinated students with an approved exemption will be required to test twice a week.
• Students are also required to report their symptoms on the CoVerified App before physically coming to campus the morning of each regularly scheduled day.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Fall 2021

• All students planning to be on campus for the fall 2021 semester are required to be fully immunized (considered 2 weeks after the last dose in the vaccine series) against the virus that causes COVID-19 and to provide record of their vaccination prior to arrival on campus.
• Student proof of vaccination was due August 1^st. If you have not done so already, upload the required documentation to Castle Branch as soon as possible for verification and approval. All students have received information on how to upload proof of vaccination to CastleBranch. Any questions about using CastleBranch should be directed to the company at customerservice@castlebranch.com or 888.723.4263. More information regarding the MCPHS Immunization Policy can be found here.
• If a student is unable to obtain one or more immunizations due to medical or religious reasons, they may upload the Vaccine Exemption Form to CastleBranch.

COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

It is critical to the health and safety of the entire MCPHS Community that each and every individual commits to:

• wearing a mask
• maintaining physical distancing
• covering coughs and sneezes
• frequently washing hands
• avoiding large groups
• monitoring health daily
• staying home when you are not well

POST-VACCINE PROTOCOLS

• COVID-19 health and safety guidelines remain in place notwithstanding COVID-19 vaccination status.
• All individuals will be required to continue wearing masks indoors and continue their respective COVID-19 testing compliance regardless of vaccination status.

We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to make our way through the pandemic.

If you have any questions about COVID-19 testing, please email COVID19team@mcphs.edu or call 617-732-2798.

Stay healthy,
MCPHS COVID-19 Team

Dear MCPHS Faculty and Staff:

We wanted to update you on what to expect when coming to campus for the fall 2021 term. In this email, you will find information about MCPHS COVID-19 testing requirements and guidance on your pre-arrival testing, arrival, and ongoing testing requirements, as well as general COVID-19 health and safety guidelines and post-vaccine protocols.

This information is also available on the COVID-19 website.

Our procedures on campus continue to be based on science and the most up-to-date guidance from public health experts as well as CDC, state, and local health authorities. Our first priority is, and will always be, the health and safety of our students and other Community members.

• If faculty and staff are not in COVID-19 testing compliance, they must have a negative COVID-19 test result that is within 72 hours of their first day back on campus. Please remember that the test may take up to 48 hours to return results.
• Following their first day back on campus in August or September, faculty and staff should plan to maintain their respective testing frequency schedule (e.g., 1x/week, 2x/week) on an ongoing basis. Please download the COVID-19 Testing Frequency Schedule for the latest testing requirements.

Testing Information

• MCPHS COVID-19 Testing Centers are open on all three campuses. Please download the Testing Center hours of operation for the latest testing days and times. Test time availability is on a first-come-first-served basis.
• COVID-19 tests can be scheduled on the CoVerified application.
• Faculty and staff may also have their own COVID-19 test taken and uploaded into the CoVerified application. The COVID-19 team will only accept results from a PCR. No rapid antigen tests will be accepted. MCPHS will reimburse faculty and staff for any out-of-pocket testing costs related to their pre-arrival test. Ongoing testing will not be reimbursed. Please contact COVID19team@mcphs.edu with details of these expenses.
• Any COVID-19 test laboratory report from an outside facility must be uploaded to the CoVerified mobile application and include the following:
  • The complete report in English.
  • Your full name clearly visible with another identifier such as a DOB.
  • The laboratory/facility address.
  • Collection date and results.
  • Results with a date and time

Coming to Campus Information

• In addition to having a negative COVID-19 test result, faculty and staff are required to complete symptoms reporting with the CoVerified application before physically coming to campus the morning of each regularly scheduled day.
  • Individuals with symptoms consistent with a prospective COVID 19 diagnosis, regardless of a negative test result, will not be allowed on campus.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Fall 2021

• All faculty and staff planning to be on campus for the fall 2021 semester are required to be fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19 and to provide record of their vaccination by August 31, 2021. Proof of vaccination can be uploaded through CoVerified.
• For those with a medical condition or sincerely held religious beliefs that preclude them from getting vaccinated, please consult with Human Resources at HR@mcphs.edu as soon as possible. For employees with a medical condition, you can also refer to the Reasonable Accommodations webpage for more information. If you have other concerns about getting vaccinated, please contact Human Resources.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines

It is critical to the health and safety of the entire MCPHS Community that each and every individual commits to:

• wearing a mask
• maintaining physical distancing
• covering coughs and sneezes
• frequently washing hands
• avoiding large groups
• monitoring health daily
• staying home when you are not well

Post-Vaccine Protocols

• COVID-19 health and safety guidelines remain in place notwithstanding COVID-19 vaccination status.
• All individuals will be required to continue wearing masks indoors and continue their respective COVID-19 testing compliance regardless of vaccination status.

We appreciate your cooperation as we continue to make our way through the pandemic.

If faculty and staff have any questions about COVID-19 testing, please email COVID19team@mcphs.edu or call 617-732-2798.

Stay healthy,
MCPHS COVID-19 Team

Dear MCPHS Students:

In advance of coming to campus for the fall 2021 semester, we wanted to make you aware that the MCPHS COVID-19 website has been updated to reflect campus operations related to COVID-19 beginning in September. Please visit the COVID-19 website for complete details.

The COVID-19 website is built to provide the MCPHS Community with the most up-to-date information. It is the primary platform used to publish new information, community-sourced FAQs, contact information, and past email communications. All new communications will be sent by email or by social media and text messages when appropriate. You can monitor your inbox and this website for all plans related to the fall 2021 semester. Use the navigation on the left to find answers to questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, testing protocols, academics, residence halls, campus life, student support resources, and more.

University safety protocols apply to all students, faculty, and staff. All students planning to be on campus for the fall 2021 semester are required to be fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19 by August 1, 2021 unless they qualify for limited exemptions for medical or religious reasons. In addition, all vaccinated students, faculty, and staff will be required to have COVID-19 testing weekly and wear masks while on campus. For students, faculty, and staff who have an approved reason not to be vaccinated, they will also be required to wear masks and will be required to have more frequent testing. Unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff without an approved exemption will not be permitted on campus.

In the coming weeks, more specific details on pre-arrival testing, health and safety guidelines, and post-vaccine protocols will be sent to you in preparation for your arrival on campus in September.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the MCPHS COVID-19 website, please email COVID19team@mcphs.edu or call 617-732-2798.

Stay healthy,
MCPHS COVID-19 Team

Dear MCPHS Employees,

MCPHS has made the decision to join the growing number of colleges and universities across the region and country to require all employees planning to be on campus for the fall 2021 semester to be fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19. Employees must be fully vaccinated by August 31, 2021 unless they qualify for limited exemptions for medical or religious reasons. This decision was made consistent with our position as a comprehensive healthcare university and in accordance with medical and public health experts that vaccines are the most effective way for us to prevent the spread of the virus on campus.

Vaccines are widely available at numerous locations across New England. The CDC website lists resources for finding and making a vaccine appointment. It can take up to six weeks to be fully vaccinated depending on which vaccine is taken, so it is important that employees plan on getting their vaccine accordingly in order to be in vaccine compliance by the end of August.

Once you have received all the requisite dose(s) of your chosen vaccine, you can upload your results through CoVerified or notify your supervisor that you have been fully vaccinated along with the date you became fully vaccinated.

For those with a medical condition or sincerely held religious beliefs that preclude them from getting vaccinated, please consult with Human Resources at HR@mcphs.edu as soon as possible. For employees with a medical condition, you can also refer to the Reasonable Accommodations webpage for more information. If you have other concerns about getting vaccinated, please contact Human Resources.

In addition, all vaccinated employees and students will be required to have COVID-19 testing weekly and wear masks while on campus. For employees and students who have an approved reason not to be vaccinated, they will also be required to wear masks and will be required to have more frequent testing. Unvaccinated employees without an approved exemption will not be permitted on campus.

It is clear that vaccinations are a powerful tool in combatting COVID-19, and requiring vaccines will protect our Community and ensure that MCPHS does its part to achieve population immunity. Thank you for your continued efforts and cooperation. We should all look forward to an energized and vibrant campus in the fall.

Sincerely,
Kevin Dolan
Chief Human Resources Officer
Human Resources

Dear MCPHS Students,

MCPHS has made the decision to join the growing number of colleges and universities across the state and country to require all students to have the COVID-19 vaccine in order to be on campus for the fall 2021 semester. Please note that there are already some clinical sites requiring COVID-19 vaccination, and you will need to follow the site’s requirements with respect to COVID-19 vaccination. Undergraduate and graduate students must be fully vaccinated prior to the start of the fall academic year, unless they qualify for limited exemptions for medical or religious reasons. Information on how to apply for an exemption will be communicated later in the spring. This decision was made in accordance with medical and public health experts and is the most effective way for us to prevent the spread of the virus on campus.

Vaccines are now widely available for those age 16 and older. For those in the United States, the CDC website lists resources for finding and making a vaccine appointment. For international students, MCPHS will work with you to obtain a vaccination once you arrive in the United States. If you would like more information regarding the vaccine, you can contact the MCPHS COVID-19 Team for assistance at COVID19team@mcphs.edu. Additionally, MCPHS will be hosting vaccine clinics on all three campuses; Boston on May 5, Worcester on May 6, and Manchester on May 7. Detailed information on the hours of operation and appointment registration for these clinics will be sent later this week.

It is clear that vaccinations are a powerful tool in combatting COVID-19, and requiring vaccines will protect our Community and ensure that MCPHS does its part to help our nation move toward herd immunity. Updates regarding submitting your proof of vaccination will be communicated to you before the start of the fall semester.

Thank you all for your continued efforts and cooperation and we should all look forward to an energized and vibrant campus in the fall.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Lessard, President

Dear Colleagues,

As vaccines continue to be administered to people across our region and the country, we can start to feel the beginnings of a return to what we remember prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Massachusetts, 54% of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine while 59% has received at least one dose in New Hampshire. Nationwide, 43% of the eligible population has received at least one dose. As the CDC, public health officials, and Massachusetts and New Hampshire government officials indicate, the COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic, and people should receive all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to receive the most protection.

As more people get vaccinated, and as people recover from the COVID-19 virus, we begin to approach what is referred to as “herd immunity.” According to the CDC, herd immunity is “a situation in which a sufficient proportion of a population is immune to an infectious disease (through vaccination and/or prior illness) to make its spread from person to person unlikely. Even individuals not vaccinated (such as newborns and those with chronic illnesses) are offered some protection because the disease has little opportunity to spread within the community.” The faster people get vaccinated, the faster we can reach herd immunity.

MCPHS has made the decision consistent with many other colleges and universities around the country to require students to be fully vaccinated in order to return to campus for the fall 2021. It is less clear at the moment what might be expected of employees. As we look to the fall, we will closely follow guidance from the CDC as well as state and local officials, and we strongly recommend you get vaccinated at your earliest convenience.

To support our own planning now for the fall, it would be helpful to know what percentage of our community has been vaccinated. Not only is this important for our campuses, but it will likely also be a requirement of clinical rotation sites. In some cases, it already is a requirement.

If you have been vaccinated and are willing to share that information, we have an easy way to upload your vaccine documentation. Using the CoVerified app, you can upload a picture of your vaccine card via the “Upload Vaccine Record” link under the “Report” section of the app. If you have questions about accessing and/or using the app, please contact the Help Desk.

Once again, we strongly recommend that you get vaccinated. The CDC website lists resources for finding and making a vaccine appointment. Additionally, MCPHS will be hosting vaccine clinics on all three campuses: Boston on May 5, Worcester on May 6, and Manchester on May 7. Detailed information on the hours of operation and appointment registration for these clinics will be sent later this week.

Thank you all for your continued help and cooperation. We will update you as we get more clarity on the best and safest approach on vaccine requirements for our faculty and staff.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Lessard, President