It’s hard to believe, but we are already hitting the stretch run of the spring semester! In case you missed it, some exciting updates pertaining to COVID-19 vaccine eligibility have rolled out over the past week. Learn more about these policy updates and how they impact you in our latest installment of COVID-19 updates!
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expands for our Ithaca College Community
The vaccine rollout process is really kicking into high gear! In case you missed it last week, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo made a sweeping announcement regarding many updates pertaining to the vaccine distribution in New York State, including some major updates related to expanded vaccine eligibility. As of Tuesday, April 6, 2021, all individuals 16-and-older are now eligible to receive vaccine appointments in New York State, which obviously is game changer for our IC community!
Wide distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine among members of our IC community is without a doubt the most effective measure to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and help us navigate ever closer to our pre-pandemic operational status. Ithaca College highly encourages students, faculty and staff to receive the vaccine as soon as you become eligible. That time is now upon us! Let’s start making those vaccine plans and help do our part to maintain a healthy campus community now and into the future!
Be sure to check out this message sent to the campus community on Thursday, April 1, which is packed with invaluable information on how to obtain a vaccine and some other important updates. IC also encourages all members of the campus community who have yet to be vaccinated to place their name on the Tompkins County Vaccine Registry.
*Some Important Reminders*
Traveling Outside of Tompkins County to Receive the Vaccine?
Ithaca College will no longer require students leaving Tompkins County for the purpose of receiving their COVID-19 vaccine to complete the Emergency Travel Request form if they are solely traveling for the purpose of the vaccine and returning the same day. The expectation is that students will travel directly to the vaccine site and return to campus immediately upon completion of receiving the vaccine.
For students who are traveling to a location to obtain the vaccine and remaining outside Tompkins County overnight, completion of the Emergency Travel Request form is still required.
Proof of New York State Residency
Some vaccination sites may require that you demonstrate your age and proof of residency within New York State. This proof can come in many forms including:
1. Age: Driver’s License, Birth Certificate or Passport.
2. Residency: Ithaca College ID, Ithaca College Paystub, Print-out of HOMER “Personal Information” tab with local Ithaca address, Local Off-Campus Lease Agreement, and/or a piece of certified mail in your name.
Update Your Health Records Following Vaccination
Students who receive the vaccine are highly encouraged to email a copy of their immunization card to the Hammond Health Center at healthcenter@ithaca.edu. This is important in helping Ithaca College ascertain if quarantine is necessary if you are named as a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case.
Also consider uploading your vaccination information on New York State’s Excelsior Pass as an additional safe way to store your COVID-19 vaccination and testing information.
Let’s continue to be #ICinThisTogether and do our part to close out the semester on a high note!