Beginning with Summer Semester 2022, Ohio University will no longer require COVID-19 vaccination for Ohio University employees and non-residential students. However, OHIO community members are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and stay up-to-date on their vaccinations.
Because of known risks associated with congregate living, OHIO will continue to require students living in Ohio University residence housing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Students must verify in their University housing agreement whether they have received the COVID-19 vaccination or sign a waiver acknowledging the risks of not being vaccinated against the virus, as they are required to do for other residential housing vaccine requirements.
Some experiential learning program partners, including clinical placement sites and study abroad programs and destinations, have COVID-19 vaccination requirements that students, faculty, and staff must meet to participate. Nonclinical students with experiential learning placements in clinical settings must also comply with program partners’ COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Requirements may include documenting proof of vaccination or going through an exemption process. Not complying with program partners’ COVID-19 vaccination requirements could prevent individuals from fulfilling academic and professional objectives.
At this time, the University does not plan to conduct regular COVID-19 testing of students, faculty, or staff, during Summer Semester 2022 or during the 2022-23 academic year. However, students, faculty, and staff participating in certain experiential learning activities may be required to comply with testing requirements based on the program or site. Antigen tests will continue to be available for students, faculty, and staff on all campuses, and upon request for groups. A limited number of Vault Health at-home PCR tests are also available.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and reduce the risk of severe illness, long covid, and death among people who are fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines also can reduce the spread of disease. COVID-19 vaccines are readily available at local health departments in every county that hosts an OHIO campus , at the OhioHealth Campus Care student health center on the Athens campus, and anywhere in Ohio through gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov .