Help Baylor Prepare for the Fall: Get Your Vaccine

As of April 19, all adults in every U.S. state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, especially important with the emergence of new and more contagious variants. To date, approximately 13.77% of our campus community has reported they are fully vaccinated. Baylor students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to pursue vaccination as soon as possible and then report when they are fully vaccinated to Baylor Health Services, so all of us in our campus community are protected and the University can continue planning for a return to normal campus operations and activities in the fall.

“As we near the end of the semester, it’s critical that members of our campus community help Baylor prepare for the fall by making plans to get vaccinated in the coming weeks. We would like to see a significant increase in the number of students, faculty and staff who are vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to have confidence in our plans to return to a more normal campus environment in the fall,” Dr. Sharon Stern, medical director of Baylor Health Services said.

To further assist students, faculty and staff with finding a vaccine provider, the University has implemented a Vaccine Information Hotline at 254-710-2900. The line will be answered 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and hotline staff can also be reached by email at ehs@baylor.edu. Online resources such as vaccinefinder.org, can help you find vaccine availability Nationwide.

“Monday’s release of the vaccine to all adults in the country allows those traveling or residing away from Waco over the summer to help the Baylor community by beginning their vaccine protocol in the place that is most convenient for them,” Stern said.

Vaccines given in two doses require doses be given three or four weeks apart. Before making an appointment, patients are asked to check their calendars to ensure that they will be available in the same city to receive both doses. While it is preferable to get the second dose of vaccine at the same organization as that is where your second dose will be sent, it is not mandatory if you are able to find the same vaccine available elsewhere.

Students, faculty and staff who have been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the FDA for emergency use should fill out the Vaccination Reporting form, which includes uploading a photo of your completed vaccination card. This information will be HIPAA-protected by Baylor Health Services and will provide you with exemption from weekly testing and quarantine.