CDC Updates Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals; SHU Vaccination Survey Results Unveiled

Thursday, April 29, 2021

By Health Intervention and Communication Team

Yesterday's on-campus vaccine clinic was a tremendous success. We are grateful to our colleagues at Clara Maass Medical Center and our own Health Services for providing this service. Thanks to their efforts, 215 more members of our community are now on their way to being able to do the things that make life so enjoyable.

CDC Issues New Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

We are pleased to see that earlier this week the CDC issued new guidance regarding several activities fully vaccinated individuals can safely enjoy. For example, fully vaccinated people can:

Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
Visit with unvaccinated people (including children) from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
Participate in outdoor activities and recreation without a mask, except in certain crowded settings and venues
Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel
Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
Refrain from routine screening testing if asymptomatic and feasible

There are numerous benefits to getting vaccinated. We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated - for yourselves and all those around you.

However, the CDC also reminds us that the pandemic is not over and says fully vaccinated people should continue to take precautions in indoor public settings like wearing a well-fitted mask.

Better days are ahead. But they are not here yet. Please continue to do your part. Do not let your guard down. Do not fall victim to pandemic fatigue. Follow the Seton Hall Pledge, whether you are fully vaccinated or not.

The HICT is reviewing this updated guidance. We will adjust our policies accordingly, deploying CDC guidance in our planning and actions. Please keep in mind we must also comply with State of New Jersey regulations.

Governor Murphy Notes State Will Follow CDC Guidance

Governor Murphy yesterday announced an "accelerated reopening of the state" given the success of vaccinations and updated CDC guidance. Murphy also said he expects New Jersey to adopt the CDC's guidance regarding outdoor mask use. We are closely monitoring evolving State of NJ guidance and remain in regular contact with State and local health officials.

Seton Hall Vaccination Survey Results Unveiled

Our tremendous thanks to all of you who participated in our recent vaccination survey. The survey was sent to all students, faculty, staff, administrators at all three campuses (10,907.).

3,353 (30.7%) of you responded
- 2,426 students
- 426 faculty
- 501 staff/administrators

68% have received at least one dose of a vaccine
- 62% of students have received at least one dose
- 90% of faculty
- 83% of staff/administrators
- (keep in mind that most students only became eligible on April 19)

44% of respondents are fully vaccinated
- 36% of students
- 72% of faculty
- 58% of staff/administrators

9% of respondents reported they do not plan to get vaccinated
- 10% of students
- 3% of faculty
- 6.6% of staff/administrators

22% of respondents said they would be interested in an on-campus vaccine clinic. We are pleased we were able to provide one yesterday.

We are extremely encouraged to see that an incredibly high proportion of our entire community is on its way to being fully vaccinated or plans to do so.

We value your insights. The HICT is using this information, and our careful examination of other schools' decisions, to develop recommendations for Seton Hall. We believe a very high level of vaccination among our community members will better enable us to move to higher density in the fall along with a primarily in-person living and learning environment. We will keep you apprised and expect to announce a decision in the near future. Your health and safety remain paramount in our planning and actions.

With upcoming spring season events, including Commencement, we encourage you to read New Jersey's Restrictions on Travel, along with CDC Travel Recommendations for Domestic Travel and for International Travel during COVID-19.

We continue to prepare return to campus and fall 2021 plans and will communicate those as they are developed.

Vaccination information

The State released information about a new vaccine appointment finder. The Vaccine Call Center is available at 855-568-0545 to register individuals in the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System, answer questions about the vaccine, provide contact information for sites, check registration status, and update registration information.

The CDC provides this helpful vaccine finder.

Another site provides information to Find COVID-19 Vaccines Near You. This site provides nationwide information.

Essex County has received high marks for its vaccination process. You can learn more at the Essex County COVID site. As of this morning there were hundreds of open spots available.

The State Department of Health provides a full array of vaccine and vaccination-related information, some of it in multiple languages. Please check it out and share it with those you know who have concerns about being vaccinated.