COVID-19 Vaccinations

Last Updated: November 17, 2022

Schedule a Vaccine/Booster Appointment

 

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have approved new bivalent versions of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. These booster vaccines target both the original strain of the coronavirus as well as the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, which are responsible for most of the current COVID-19 cases.
 
As part of Tulane’s continued commitment to reduce the spread of COVID-19 both on our campuses and throughout the New Orleans community, we are making the Pfizer bivalent booster vaccines available free of charge to Tulane students, faculty and staff. We strongly urge that all individuals who are eligible to receive this vital booster do so. According to the FDA, if you are eligible for an updated COVID-19 vaccine booster, the updated booster you receive does not need to be from the same manufacturer (Moderna, Pfizer, etc.) that made the vaccine you received for your primary vaccination or previous booster.
 
Individuals 12 years or older are eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine bivalent booster if it has been at least two months since they completed their primary vaccination series or received their original booster. Individuals with a recent COVID-19 infection may consider delaying a primary series or booster dose, including the bivalent, by three months from the onset of symptoms or a positive test (if the infection was asymptomatic). If you are unsure whether you should receive the bivalent booster vaccine now or should wait, please consult your primary care provider.

Make your appointment to receive the bivalent booster on the uptown or downtown campus here.
 
Those who still need the first or second dose of the primary COVID vaccine series should email covidvaccine@tulane.edu to request an appointment at either the uptown or downtown Living Well Clinics. The primary doses are differently formulated vaccines and will not be available at the COVID booster vaccination sites.

 

TULANE-SPECIFIC FAQs

Vaccination Booster

Who should get the COVID-19 booster shot?

All students, faculty, staff and contract employees will be required to receive a booster shot once they become eligible for one. Booster records must be uploaded to the Campus Health patient portal.

If I’ve already been vaccinated with one COVID-19 vaccine, can I receive a different COVID-19 vaccine as my third booster?

Yes. You may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. The CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 booster shot?

Similar to the regular shots, namely soreness or redness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and occasional fever and chills.

If I had a breakthrough COVID-19 case, should I still get the booster shot?

We don’t yet know the answer since we don’t know how a breakthrough infection compares to a booster vaccine. It may still be prudent to get a booster if you are in a group for which boosters are recommended.

If I received monoclonal antibodies treatment, when can I receive my booster shot?

The recommendation is to wait 90 days after receiving a COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment before getting a COVID-19 vaccine shot

How long should I wait between getting my COVID-19 booster shot and my flu shot?

You can get the flu shot with, or at any time before or after, the COVID-19 booster.

 

For Students

How should students submit proof of vaccination to the university?

If you have completed the full vaccine sequence through an entity outside of Tulane, please update your vaccination records through the Campus Health Patient Portal. If you have been vaccinated at the Tulane Vaccine Clinic, your record will be updated automatically.

Will vaccinated students still need to participate in the asymptomatic testing program?

Yes. All faculty, staff, and students are required to participate in ongoing surveillance testing throughout the semester regardless of vaccine status or the presence of antibodies from a previous COVID-19 infection. This is subject to change as public health guidance evolves. More information will be provided closer to the fall.

What if a student is unable to receive an FDA authorized vaccine?

Students who are unable to receive an FDA-authorized vaccines (for example, international students traveling from certain countries) prior to their arrival or return to campus for the fall semester will have the opportunity to consult with Campus Health staff about whether vaccination in Louisiana is appropriate.  For those who may be directed to be vaccinated here, a grace period for vaccination will be allowed. If students have already received vaccines that are not authorized by the FDA, Campus Health will make individualized determinations about the need for additional vaccines based on which vaccines such students have received and relevant public health guidance. Questions about this can be directed to covidvaccine@tulane.edu.

For Faculty and Staff

Is the university requiring that faculty and staff receive a COVID-19 booster?

Yes, all faculty, staff and contract employees will be required to receive a booster shot once they become eligible for one. Booster records must be uploaded to the Campus Health patient portal.

Will faculty and staff still need to participate in the asymptomatic testing program?

Yes. All faculty, staff, and students are required to participate in ongoing surveillance testing throughout the semester regardless of vaccine status or the presence of antibodies from a previous COVID-19 infection. This is subject to change as public health guidance evolves. More information will be provided closer to the fall.

Will Tulane pay for related expenses should we get sick from the vaccine?

If you work for Tulane and are covered under a Tulane insurance program, those expenses will be paid under your insurance plan.

For All Tulane Community Members

Does the university offer the vaccination to faculty, staff, and students?

The Tulane Vaccine Clinic, located on the ground floor of the JBJ Building at 1324 Tulane Avenue, currently has daily appointment openings for COVID-19 vaccine for all students, faculty and staff. Tulane students, faculty and staff can make an appointment via this link. Please fill out the vaccine consent form in advance and bring it to your appointment.

A Vaccine Clinic is also open on the ground floor of Phelps Residence Hall. You may schedule an appointment at either the uptown clinic or the downtown clinic.

What COVID-19 vaccines may be used to fulfill the university’s vaccination requirement?

Students are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the FDA. Currently, there are three such vaccines and information about them is available on the FDA website.

How will the university use information I submit regarding my proof of vaccination?

This information may be used to determine your COVID-19 vaccination status and your suitability for certain university activities and for reporting and operational planning purposes. The university will store this information in accordance with its information security policy and will restrict access to a limited number of authorized personnel. In addition, Campus Health and other authorized personnel may use relevant portions of this  information to ensure compliance with COVID-19 policies Tulane University has put in place to protect the health and safety of the campus community.

I've been vaccinated. Do I still need to follow university COVID protocols? And should I let the university know I've been vaccinated?

If you've been vaccinated, you must continue to follow university protocols on mask wearing, physical distancing and regular participation in the asymptomatic testing protocol. The only difference is that you may not need to quarantine if you were exposed to a positive case or recently traveled.

If you have completed the full vaccine sequence from an entity outside of Tulane, please update your vaccination records through the Campus Health Patient Portal. If you have been vaccinated at the Tulane Vaccine Clinic, your record will be updated automatically.

Will Tulane be monitoring vaccine recipients?

Yes. If you have already received both doses of your COVID-19 vaccine from an entity outside of Tulane, please submit documentation through the Campus Health patient portal to update your vaccination records. If you have been vaccinated at the Tulane Vaccine Clinic, your record will be updated automatically.

 

Please email CovidVaccine@Tulane.edu with any further questions.

For more information about vaccines click here.

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