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How and why to meet the Jan. 31 deadline for booster shots

You won't be able to register for spring quarter classes until you submit your booster documentation, or receive an extension or exemption, as explained in this Vaden Health Services message.

Dear students,

As you know, the deadline for submitting your booster shot documentation or submitting an application for a religious or medical exemption is Jan. 31, 2022. Thank you to everyone who has provided their documentation to Vaden Health Services. If you haven’t, here’s how and why to meet this requirement, and answers to questions we’ve received from students.

How and why to meet this requirement

  • Booster documentation should be uploaded to vadenpatient.stanford.edu. Look for the “COVID vaccination” button (top center of the home page).
  • You are eligible for a booster 5 months after completing a Pfizer or Moderna primary series. You’ll find additional eligibility guidance here (middle column). Here’s how to get a booster through Stanford Health Care and  here’s where to get a booster off campus.
  • You won’t be able to register for spring quarter classes until you submit your booster documentation, or receive an extension or exemption (extensions are available to students who are not yet eligible for a booster, see details in the FAQ below).
  • The university will place an enrollment hold on your Axess account if you are booster eligible and miss the Jan. 31 deadline, consistent with our policy for the COVID immunization requirement announced last summer.
  • Students must be enrolled by the study list deadline of April 15, 2022, to stay in university housing. Your financial aid or university research or teaching assistantship or fellowship support may also be affected.

Why Stanford has a student booster shot requirement

Our booster requirement is intended to support sustained immunity against COVID-19 and is consistent with the advice of county and federal public health leaders. Booster shots enhance immunity, providing additional protection to individuals and reducing the possibility of being hospitalized for COVID. In addition, booster shots prevent infection in many individuals, thereby slowing the spread of the virus. A heavily boosted campus community reduces the possibility of widespread disruptions that could impact the student experience, especially in terms of in-person classes and activities and congregate housing.

Additional FAQ

We have received the following questions from students and would like to share answers with everyone.

Should I get a booster shot if I had COVID recently or if I have COVID now?
You should get a booster shot as soon as you recover. It is safe and we recommend it to boost your immunity from variants. If you have questions about your individual circumstances, contact Vaden Health Services (send a secure message to the “COVID Medical Care Team” through vadenpatient.stanford.edu).

I am not eligible to get a booster. What should I do?
If you won’t be eligible for a booster by Jan. 31, 2022, get one as soon as you are eligible. You don’t need to request a deadline extension if you’ve uploaded documentation for your primary vaccination series to vadenpatient.stanford.edu AND you’ll be eligible to get a booster by Feb. 22. If you won’t be eligible for a booster by Feb. 22, request an extension by completing this form.

I was immunized while abroad. Am I eligible for a booster shot?
Guidance for those immunized abroad is available on Vaden Health Serivces’ home page (middle column).

All of my classes are online. Is a booster required for me?
Yes, so that you will be clear to be on campus should you choose to visit or attend in-person classes in the future.

I am not living on campus this quarter. Is a booster required for me?
Yes, so that you will be clear to be on campus should you choose to visit or attend in-person classes in the future.

Thank you!

We would like to once again thank everyone for wearing face coverings, isolating when COVID positive, and taking other precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at Stanford. The number of positive cases has decreased significantly over the past few weeks, as shown by the university’s dashboard. At the same time, we know the pandemic has been difficult for everyone and we’re developing resources to help. Check out The Flourish and these tips on staying connected. Student groups and organizations are now free to gather indoors and out, and here are the details. All student COVID guidance is summarized on this website.

Wishing all of you the very best this quarter,

Dr. Jim Jacobs
Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director, Vaden Health Services