Booster Requirement and New CDC Isolation Guidance

December 28, 2021

Dear Tulane Community:

This week, the CDC updated its guidance on reducing the spread of COVID-19. In light of this, we want to underscore that all students, faculty and staff are required to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine when they become eligible for one, which is generally six months after completing their COVID vaccine series. Evidence continues to mount that receiving a booster is one of the primary means of countering the spread of COVID-19 and especially the omicron variant. We are also writing to highlight new CDC guidance which, among other things, reduces the required isolation time following a positive test or exposure to COVID-19. The shortened period for isolation is based on the CDC’s recent finding that most transmissions occur 1 to 2 days before the onset of symptoms and 2 to 3 days after.

To schedule an appointment to receive your booster at one of Tulane’s Vaccine Clinics, use this link. If you have any questions, please email covidvaccine@tulane.edu. Any students, faculty and staff who have already received a COVID-19 booster at a location other than one of the Tulane Vaccine Clinics, or who receive such a booster during winter break, must upload their records to Campus Health here.

Updated quarantine and isolation guidance is provided below. All students, faculty and staff must follow CDC guidance, as well as directions from their deans or supervisors.

Everyone, regardless of their vaccination status, who tests positive for COVID-19 should:

• Stay home and away from others for at least five days.
• If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your temperature returns to normal.
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after five days, you can leave your house and return to work or school.
• Continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days following your isolation period.

If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 and have completed your vaccine series and received a booster, if eligible:

• Wear a mask around others for ten days.
• Test on the fifth day after your exposure, if possible.
• If you develop symptoms get tested and continue to isolate at home for at least five days if you test positive

If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are unvaccinated or have not received a booster when eligible:

• Stay home for five days and continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.
• If you can’t quarantine, you must wear a mask for ten days.
• Test on the fifth day after exposure, if possible.
• If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home for at least five days if you test positive.

We know this is a difficult and complicated period for everyone as the situation with COVID-19 continues to unfold.  We will provide updates in early January regarding the start of return testing following the holidays.