WPI International Vaccine Requirements and FAQs

International Vaccine Town Hall

Introductions: WPI International House WPI Health Services WPI Vaccine Working Group FAQs for International Students/Students Living Internationally Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2

COVID Vaccine FAQs: Do international students need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to campus? All students who have had access to either a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO)-approved COVID-19 vaccine series must be vaccinated and provide their documentation to WPI by August 1, 2021. International students who were in the U.S. in the spring and summer of 2021 with access to U.S. COVID-19 vaccines are expected to follow the same COVID-19 vaccine compliance guidelines as domestic students and comply with the August 1, 2021 deadline. WPI understands that students arriving from international locations may have had issues accessing vaccines. If you were not in the U.S. in the spring and/or summer of 2021 and did not have access to COVID-19 vaccines, WPI will work with you upon your arrival on campus to quickly get you a COVID-19 vaccination series. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 3

What COVID-19 vaccines will WPI accept to meet the student vaccination requirement? WPI will accept any COVID-19 vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). Please review the most up-to-date information here about WHO-approved vaccines Worcester Polytechnic Institute 4

What if an international student only has access to COVID-19 vaccines not approved by the FDA or the WHO? If a COVID-19 vaccine is available in your country but is not on the WHO-approved list, WPI still advises that thebest vaccine is the first one you can get. If you get a COVID-19 vaccine that is not on the WHO- approved list, please report your vaccine information through WPI s International Vaccine Survey, which was sent to your WPI email. Survey answers will be reviewed by WPI Health Services. Please also upload a copy of your COVID vaccine documentation into Medicat here. WPI Health Services will contact students who require additional follow up and make an individualized plan with the student to meet the COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 5

What if an international student doesnt have access to any vaccines before WPI s August 1 COVID-19 vaccine requirement deadline? WPI understands that access to a COVID-19 vaccine is highly variable around the world. Students who report access difficulty on the International Vaccine Survey, which was sent via WPI email, will receive assistance from Health Services. If WPI has vaccines available, students may be able to get immunized on campus. Otherwise WPI will help students register for an appointment at a local pharmacy or vaccine clinic. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 6

What if an international student can get the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at home, but would arrive at WPI before receiving their second dose, and that particular vaccine is not available in the U.S.? If possible, students should speak with their personal health care provider about what to do. All international students will have the option of making a telemedicine appointment with WPI Health Services to receive education and up-to-date information about their options, and to make an individualized plan to meet the COVID-19 vaccine requirement. WPI is closely following CDC guidance for students living outside of the United States and will be working to support those students based on the most current guidance and scientific data available. If you are able to discuss this situation with your health care provider and they do not recommend a second dose of a different COVID-19 vaccine, please upload a letter in the WPI Student Health Portal from your medical provider explaining your specific situation for WPI Health Services staff to review. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 7

Will I be able to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before my program start date if I have a vaccine appointment? No, international students can only enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the program start date on their I-20/DS-2019. The US government does not view vaccination requirements as a reason to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before your program start date. If you have limited access to the vaccine, WPI will assist you in getting the vaccine upon your arrival. Additional arrival details will be provided moving forward. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 8

Will international students be prohibited from coming to campus, attending classes or moving into their residence halls if they have not provided their vaccination documentation prior to August 1? If an international student with limited access to a COVID-19 vaccine in their country has not yet started or is part way through their COVID vaccine regimen by August 1, they will not be prohibited from in-person courses or moving into residence halls,but will be expected to become fully vaccinated or seek an exemption upon their arrival at WPI. Students who are not fully vaccinated (two weeks past their final vaccine dose) will need to wear a face covering indoors when on campus until they are two weeks past their last dose and get tested weekly on campus for COVID-19. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 9

What if I do not want to receive a COVID-19 vaccine? Will I be allowed to come to campus, begin classes, or move into my residence hall? WPI is requiring COVID-19 vaccines for all students for the beginning of A-Term/fall semester, unless they receive a medical or religious exemption. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 10

If I am fully remote for A and B-Terms/fall semester, will I still need to provide my vaccination status? Even if you will be taking classes online from outside of the U.S., we still ask that you provide us with your vaccination status. If you will have any presence on campus for work, research, activities or study, you must provide documentation to meet WPI s COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 11

If I am having trouble accessing my medical provider for my non-COVID immunizations required for enrollment; can I work with WPI upon arrival to campus to get the vaccination I need to become compliant? Yes. Generally, WPI would require students to be in compliance prior to arrival, but the university can help students get into compliance with additional required vaccinations once they arrive to campus if needed. Worcester Polytechnic Institute 12

Arrival and Quarantine CDC travel guidance Expectations on arrival at WPI August 10th unvaccinated, non-WHO approved vaccines, partially vaccinated (new students) August 15th WHO approved vaccinated August 18th returning students who need to quarantine who aren t fully vaccinated BinaxNOW test (2, potentially 3) 7-day quarantine Orientation Worcester Polytechnic Institute 13

Health Care in the US https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.c om/explained/us-healthcare-system- video.php We recommend taking WPI s health insurance UG s WPI Health Services, first point of contact for health help G s if paying health fee, WPI Health Services main point of contact, if not, must find primary care provider outside WPI Worcester Polytechnic Institute 14

Who to contact: Vaccine Working Group: vaccineworkinggroup@wpi.edu Health Services: healthcenter@wpi.edu International House: ih@wpi.edu WPI Health Insurance info Bursar s office Bursar@wpi.edu Worcester Polytechnic Institute 15