University Policy Administration

Eastern Washington University

EWU 602-02: Immunizations

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Immunizations – Health & Safety

EWU Policy 602-02 Authority: University President
Effective: January 3, 2022 Proponent: Vice Presidents of Student Affairs and Business and Finance

Summary:  This policy establishes and describes the official policy for student, visiting scholar and employee Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and COVID-19 immunizations at Eastern Washington University.

Applicability:  This policy applies to all students, visiting scholars and employees at Eastern Washington University. It does not apply to students who exclusively take courses formally designated by EWU as being online or to students who participate in EWU courses offered in high schools. It does not apply to employees who exclusively work remotely, unless superseded by the requirements of Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.1.

History: This policy revises and supersedes the previous version dated February 28, 2020. It was adopted by the Board of Trustees on May 21, 2021, and is effective as of that date. An emergency, interim version was approved by the President on July 23, 2021. Due to the continuing nature of the pandemic and state/federal requirements, modifications were made to the initial interim policy and a second emergency, interim version was approved by the President on January 3, 2022. The second interim policy will expire as of July 3, 2022, unless it is adopted as a permanent policy by the Board of Trustees.

1. MEASLES, MUMPS & RUBELLA

1-1. Background & Purpose

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) are highly communicable diseases that can be mitigated by receiving two (2) doses of the MMR vaccine. Measles, mumps and rubella create a significant health risk to the campus community and university operations. The purpose of a mandatory MMR immunization requirement for university students, employees, and visiting scholars is to prevent the introduction and spread of these vaccine preventable diseases among the campus community.  Accordingly, this policy requires proof of immunity or vaccination as a requirement for enrollment, participation in a visiting scholar program and as a condition of initial or continued employment at Eastern Washington University.

In the event the Spokane Regional Health District determines there is a measles, mumps, or rubella outbreak on campus, university officials will notify:

  1. Students who have an approved waiver request who may be impacted by the outbreak. Students with an approved waiver request will not be allowed on campus, including, but not limited to:
    1. Attending classes
    2. Participating in campus activities, or
    3. Living in residence halls
  2. Employees and visiting scholars with an approved waiver request who may be impacted by the outbreak will not be allowed on campus.

Typically, an outbreak lasts for two to four weeks.  Students, employees, and visiting scholars who have not provided proof of immunity or vaccination will not be allowed on campus during an outbreak, including those with approved waivers.  Once the outbreak is no longer in effect, employees, students, and visiting scholars will be notified that they may return to campus.

1-2. Immunization Requirement

All incoming students, current and future employees, and visiting scholars of Eastern Washington University who were born after December 31, 1956, except those exempted by this policy, shall be required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination to measles, mumps and rubella.  To facilitate the implementation of this policy, all incoming students are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination prior to registering for courses at Eastern Washington University. Future employees are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination prior to hire. Current employees are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination no later than December 31 2021. Visiting scholars are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination prior to arrival. Current visiting scholars are required to provide proof of immunity or vaccination no later than December 31, 2021.

1-3. Required Documentation/Proof of Immunity

Students, employees, and visiting scholars may provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR by one of the following methods:

  1. Documentation of two doses of the MMR vaccine that were given:
    1. On or after January 1, 1957
    2. At least 28 days apart, and
    3. On or after twelve (12) months of age; or
  2. Documentation of a positive blood test (titer) for antibodies against MMR.

1-4. Documentation Process

  1. The proof of immunity or vaccination documentation must be submitted through Med+Proctor, a third-party vendor who maintains medical records for Eastern Washington University. Information about how to submit immunization information is available at: inside.ewu.edu/bewell/immunization.  
  2. Immunization documentation or blood tests (titers) must come from a doctor, clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, United States Armed Services, school or the State of Washington.
  3. Washington residents may be able to obtain immunization documentation from the State of Washington via MyIR at https://wa.myir.net/.
  4. Self-reported immunization records or blood tests will not be accepted.

1-5. Exemptions and Waivers

Students, employees, and visiting scholars may request the university waive the MMR immunization requirement for the following reasons:

  1. Religious- Students, employees, and visiting scholars may request a religious waiver by affirming that receiving the vaccine is contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs.
  2. Medical- Students, employees, and visiting scholars may request a medical waiver by presenting a statement from a licensed medical provider which certifies that the person has medical reasons for not obtaining vaccination.

Waiver requests are available in Med+Proctor and may be uploaded into the system. Waiver requests may be denied if they do not meet the requirements of this policy or are not completely filled out. In addition, pregnant students and employees may request a temporary accommodation related to these requirements by contacting Disability Support Services (students) or Human Resources (employees).

Any student, employee, and visiting scholar who requests a waiver assumes the risk and responsibility for the consequences of not being immunized in the event the Spokane Regional Health District places the university on exclusionary status or otherwise restricts access to the campus. This includes, but is not limited to, not being allowed on campus, the inability to attend class, eat in dining facilities, use university facilities, work, or remain in a residence hall.

Students who take exclusively online courses from EWU or participate in EWU courses offered in high schools are exempt from this policy.  Employees who engage exclusively in remote work are exempt from this policy.

1-6. Enforcement

Students who have not submitted proof of immunity or vaccination or have not received an exemption or waiver  by the  third week of the term will be referred to Student Rights and Responsibilities. A fine may be assessed for failure to comply with this policy. A fine may be assessed for failure to comply with this policy each term.

Students who have not submitted proof of immunity or vaccination will be not be allowed on campus during an outbreak of measles, mumps or rubella. Students with approved waivers may or may not be allowed on campus depending on the direction received by the university from the health district and consistent with section 1-1.

Employees who have not submitted proof of immunity or vaccination will not be allowed on campus during an outbreak and will be required to use available vacation leave, compensatory time or leave without pay for time missed from work. Visiting scholars who have not submitted proof of immunity will not be allowed on campus.

2. COVID-19

2-1. Background & Purpose

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) creates a significant health and safety risk to the campus community and university operations. This risk is mitigated by requiring university students, employees, and visiting scholars to receive vaccination for COVID-19.

2-2. Immunization Requirement

All students, employees, and visiting scholars are required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 15, 2021. Subsequent to fall term 2021, students must provide proof of vaccination before the first day of the term they enroll. New employees must provide proof at the time of hire.

Students, employees, and visiting scholars must submit a copy of a vaccination card or medical record that shows either one dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Other vaccinations will be accepted if they have received emergency use authorization or regular approval from the Food and Drug Administration or are listed by the World Health Organization.

2-3. Documentation Process

  1. Proof of immunity or vaccination documentation must be submitted through Med+Proctor, a third-party vendor who maintains medical records for Eastern Washington University. Information about how to submit immunization information is available at: inside.ewu.edu/bewell/immunization.  
  2. Immunization documentation must come from a doctor, clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, United States Armed Services, school or the State of Washington.
  3. Washington residents may be able to obtain immunization documentation from the State of Washington via MyIR at https://wa.myir.net/.

2-4. Exemptions and Waivers

Students, employees, and visiting scholars may request the university waive the COVID immunization requirement for the following reasons:

  1. Religious- Students, employees, and visiting scholars may request a religious waiver by affirming that receiving the vaccine is contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, or practices.
  2. Medical- Students, employees, and visiting scholars may request a medical waiver by presenting a statement from a licensed medical provider which certifies that the person has medical reasons for not obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine.

Waiver requests for students are available in Med+Proctor and may be uploaded into the system. For anyone employed by EWU, medical waivers must be requested from Human Resources consistent with EWU Policy 402-03 (Accommodating Persons with Disabilities). Employees may request a religious waiver/accommodation from the Office of Equal Opportunity consistent with EWU Policy 403-01 (Holidays & Religious Accommodation). These requests may be made online at: https://inside.ewu.edu/equalopportunity/office-of-equal-opportunity/religious-accommodation/. Waiver requests should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the beginning of a term or the initial date of employment to allow for adequate time for review.  Medical waivers may be denied if they do not meet the requirements for a reasonable accommodation under EWU Policy 402-03 (Accommodating Persons with Disabilities). Religious waivers may be denied if they do not meet the requirements of EWU Policy 403-01 (Holidays & Religious Accommodations). In addition, pregnant students and employees may request a temporary accommodation related to these requirements by contacting Student Accommodations & Support Services (students) or Human Resources (employees).

Any student, employee, or visiting scholar who requests a waiver assumes the risk and responsibility for the consequences of not being immunized. The person must also acknowledge that additional health and safety measures may be required for them to participate in in-person activities or reside in university housing and that they will abide by any quarantine directives issued by the university or the Spokane Regional Health District. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must wear a face covering inside university buildings as long as a face covering is required for such individuals by the Washington State Department of Health or Department of Labor & Industries.

Students who exclusively take courses formally designated as online courses from EWU or participate in EWU courses offered in high schools are exempt from this policy. Individuals who were previously exempt will need to comply with the vaccination requirements before taking courses or labs in person or working on a university campus.

Effective January 10, 2022, employees who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and who do not exclusively work remotely must provide a negative test result to EWU’s Risk Management department at least every 7 days. EWU will accept PCR or antigen test results. Testing is available on the Cheney and Spokane campuses. Home test kit results will not be accepted. An employee will be excused from providing a negative test result for a period of 90 days following a positive COVID test or a COVID diagnosis by a medical provider. Employees who fail to comply with this testing requirement may be subject to corrective or disciplinary action or their vaccine waivers may be revoked.

2-5. Reporting Positive Cases

All students, employees, and visiting scholars are required to immediately report to EWU if they test positive for COVID-19 or are diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical provider. Reports should be made online at: www.ewu.edu/reportcovid. The individual who tests positive must then immediately leave EWU. EWU provides isolation facilities for students and employees who live on campus. EWU will provide the individuals who have tested positive with information about their mandatory period of isolation in accordance with current CDC guidance. Students and employees may return to EWU before their isolation period is over only if they receive a negative PCR test result after an initial positive antigen test or if they are cleared to return to work by a medical provider.

2-6. Enforcement

Students who have not submitted proof of vaccination or have not received an exemption by the deadline in this policy, will be referred to Student Rights and Responsibilities. A fine may be assessed for failure to comply with this policy each term.

Employees may be subject to corrective or disciplinary action. Visiting scholars who do not meet these requirements will not be allowed on campus.