*Published on August 12, 2021*
Dear Northeastern University Faculty,
On August 2, the university announced that all U.S.-based Northeastern faculty are required to submit verification of vaccination no later than September 8, 2021. Faculty who would like to request a religious or medical exemption to this vaccine requirement should follow the process below.
Medical or Religious Exemption Process
Submit a medical or religious exemption request by August 20. Use the Vaccine Verification form, available on services.northeastern.edu/wellness, to indicate that you would like to apply for a religious or medical exemption from the vaccination requirement. Submitting your request by August 20 allows the university time to review your request before the September 8 deadline for faculty to submit vaccine verification.
Submit documentation supporting your request for exemption by August 27. After submitting the Vaccine Verification form, you’ll receive an email with information on how to upload the required supporting documentation. Medical exemption requests must be supported by a signed and dated letter from your primary care physician, or other licensed treating medical provider, that states why you are unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Religious exemption requests require submission of a signed and dated letter, written by you, that identifies your sincerely held religious belief and explains why this belief prevents you from receiving the vaccine.
The university will assess your exemption request and supporting documentation. You will be notified if additional information is needed to assess your request. Exemption decisions will be communicated to you as soon as a determination is reached. As health and safety protocols evolve this fall, people with vaccine exemptions may be required to follow specific health and safety protocols around mask-wearing, testing, and healthy distancing.
Faculty who are not requesting an exemption must submit their vaccine verification by September 8 as previously announced. If you’ve received only one dose in a two-dose vaccine series, you must upload documentation of your first dose by September 8. Documentation showing receipt of the second dose must be submitted no later than September 30.
Thank you for following this important requirement for our community’s health and safety.
Deb Franko Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs