Why is UConn Health mandating that we report our COVID-19 vaccination status if we are not required to get vaccinated?

The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) unit under the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires that healthcare facilities like UConn Health report COVID-19 vaccination data for its workforce. UConn Health is required to provide this summary information on workforce COVID-19 vaccination status to the federal government on a monthly basis. This monthly reporting continues to be required by the NHSN/CDC, notwithstanding the end of the Public Health Emergency last spring. As a result, UConn Health must continue to collect vaccine status information from our workforce so that we have the data to be compliant with this federal reporting requirement.

Who is included in this mandatory COVID-19 vaccination status reporting policy?

The COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Reporting Policy applies to all new and current UConn Health employees, volunteers, medical staff, and any contracted individual receiving a UConn Health-issued badge (together, referred to as “Workforce Members”).

How do I know if I am up-to-date with my vaccinations?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have resources on their website to help you determine if you are up-to-date. Please visit the CDC website for more information.

I work fully remote or in a non-clinical environment. Do I need to comply with this policy? If I feel sick after my vaccination, will UConn Health provide me with paid leave?

Workforce Members feeling sick after the vaccination should request sick time off in accordance with their regular call-out procedures.

I recently received and accepted an offer of employment at UConn Health. Does this policy apply to me?

Yes. UConn Health will require all new hires and appointments to comply with the mandatory vaccination status reporting policy as a condition of employment/appointment.

Where can I get more information on the COVID-19 vaccines?

UConn Health has a separate FAQ for general vaccine-related questions. We continue to update our FAQs in accordance with changing guidance.

I got my vaccine at UConn Health. Do I still need to report my vaccination status?

Yes. Regardless of where you received your vaccination, you will need to report your vaccine status in one of our two COVID-19 vaccine registries. UConn Health employees must report in the UConn Health Employee Vaccine Registry, while members of our workforce who are not directly employed (such as badged contractors/vendors, students, residents and volunteers) must register their vaccine status and information in the Non-Employee Vaccine Registry.

I work at UConn Health, but I am a contractor. How do I report vaccination status?

To ensure your compliance with our policy and federal reporting requirements:

1. Visit the online badged Non-Employee Vaccine Registry to enter your vaccine status.

2. Enter the required information into the online registry including:

• The first 5 digits on the back of your UConn Health ID badge
• Your role at UConn Health
• Your COVID-19 vaccine status

3. Revisit the registry to update your status as needed, or if vaccine requirements change.

I work at UConn Health (and have a UConn Health badge), but I am not technically a UConn Health employee (e.g., I am a UConn Storrs employee, a contractor, etc.). Am I subject to this policy? If yes, can I use the UConn Health Employee Vaccine Registry to provide vaccination status and if I can’t use the Registry, how do I provide status?

If you have a UConn Health badge because you regularly work or train in UConn Health facilities, you are part of UConn Health’s “workforce” and are subject to the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Reporting Policy. This is true even if you are technically employed by UConn (Storrs).

With regard to providing status of your COVID-19 vaccinations, individuals who are not UConn Health employees cannot use the Employee Vaccine Registry. Instead, you must provide status of compliance by submitting your information in the Non-Employee Vaccine Registry.

1. Visit the online badged Non-Employee Vaccine Registry to enter your vaccine status.

2. Enter the required information into the online registry including:

• The first 5 digits on the back of your UConn Health ID badge
• Your role at UConn Health
• Your COVID-19 vaccine status

3. Revisit the registry to update your status as needed, or if vaccine requirements change.

Are graduate students (including Graduate Assistants) subject to the mandatory vaccination reporting policy, and if yes, how do they report their status?

All UConn Health graduate students (including Graduate Assistants) are subject to the mandatory vaccination reporting policy for students because they are enrolled as graduate students at the university.

Are Medical and Dental Residents subject to the mandatory vaccination reporting policy, and if yes, how do they report their status?

UConn School of Medicine

Residents are required to upload their vaccination reporting status into UConn Health’s Non-Employee Vaccine Registry. The GME office will use that information to inform all affiliated sites where residents rotate.

Medical students should report their vaccination status to OASIS or in accordance with any instructions sent by the School of Medicine.

UConn School of Dental Medicine

Residents and fellows are required to send status of vaccination to their program directors and to the School of Dental Medicine Office of Academic Affairs. Residency program directors would notify all sites where residents rotate. In addition, dental residents and fellows who are employed directly by UConn Health are also required to submit vaccination status through UConn Health’s Non-Employee Vaccine Registry.

My primary vaccination series information appears to be locked in the Registry. What is the best way to delete or update my information in the Registry?

All approved primary vaccination records in the Employee Vaccine Registry are locked and cannot be edited without administrator approval. Please submit an email to VAXQuestion@uchc.edu with your request if there is an error with the information in the Registry regarding your initial series. The administrators of the Employee Vaccine Registry will be able to update or delete the information for you.