COVID-19

This page contains details on COVID-19 immunization requirements, submitting proof of immunization, and requesting exemptions. For complete, up-to-date information on University policies and protocols regarding coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic, please see https://www.du.edu/coronavirus.

University of Denver COVID-19 Immunization Requirements

Consistent with recommendations from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), and in consultation with our health partner, National Jewish Health, DU is requiring students, faculty and staff who are living, learning, or working in person to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning for fall term. This requirement applies to individuals who are studying or working in person as part of their DU role, even if the in-person activity does not occur on campus (e.g., study abroad, other off-campus programs, or conducting DU business in other locations).

Full vaccination occurs two weeks after a one-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) or two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna). At this time, DU is accepting only currently FDA-authorized vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen). If you have been vaccinated with a non-FDA-authorized vaccine (such as AstraZeneca), please upload that vaccine record. It is not recommended that individuals who received a non-FDA-authorized vaccine pursue a second vaccination at this time. As fall term approaches, we will provide more specific guidance for individuals vaccinated with non-FDA-authorized vaccines.

DU may require individuals who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to follow additional mitigation protocols, such as quarantining before arriving on campus, after travel, or following exposure to COVID-19, more frequent testing, social distancing, and wearing face coverings.

COVID Testing at DU

Students, faculty, and staff can receive free COVID testing on campus. For up-to-date testing information, visit the DU Spit Lab.

Submitting Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination

To provide proof of vaccination, upload a photograph of your completed vaccine card (instructions below). Your photo should clearly identify the type of vaccine, the date(s) on which you received it, and the provider. You must upload your vaccine card even if you were vaccinated on campus.

Log into the MyHealth portal.
Select MEDICAL CLEARANCES on the left side bar.
Click UPDATE next to COVID Vaccine.
Click UPLOAD.
Attach and upload your file(s).
Click ADD IMMUNIZATION.
Enter the date you received your vaccination.
Select the matching vaccination type from the drop down menu.
Click SAVE.
Click DONE.

After the Health & Counseling Center has reviewed your record, you will receive a confirmation message. If your vaccine record is approved and you are two weeks post-vaccination, your status on the campus access portal will change to “vaccinated.” For questions about accessing MyHealth or for help uploading, contact info@hcc.du.edu.

Exemptions to the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

DU recognizes that not every individual is in a position to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at this time. Accordingly, in April of 2021, DU established a process to consider requests for certain limited exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Through that process, the Health & Counseling Center will consider requests for exemptions due to medical and non-medical reasons. DU may reconsider the availability of certain exemptions based on changing conditions on campus, in the surrounding community, or the state, in addition to changes in public health orders and/or guidance and/or developments related to the COVID-19 vaccines.

To submit an exemption request, please download, complete, sign, and upload the applicable form and any required documentation. Please note that submission of a request for exemption does not constitute a request for accommodation related to your employment or your participation in academic or other programs as a student at DU. You will need to contact Human Resources & Inclusive Community or the Disability Services Program, respectively, to engage in the interactive accommodation process.

This exemption information is specific to COVID-19 vaccination only. If you are requesting exemption from other vaccinations, such as the MMR vaccination requirement or the flu vaccination requirement, these exemption requests must be filed individually.

Medical exemptions must be requested by submitting the Medical Exemption form along with a letter or statement from your doctor indicating the clinically supported reason(s) you should not receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

Religious exemptions must be requested by submitting the Non-Medical Exemption form. These exemptions require a statement from the individual (or a parent/guardian if the individual is under 18 years of age), stating that the vaccine violates sincerely held religious beliefs. Non-medical exemptions must be renewed annually.

Follow these steps to submit the form:

Log into the MyHealth portal.
Select DOWNLOADABLE FORMS on the left side bar.
Locate the COVID-19 EXEMPTION FORM.
Select UPLOAD.
Attach and upload the form.

If you are unable to upload, you may email the form to info@hcc.du.edu or fax it to 303-871-4242. Please include your DU ID number, first and last name with all communications.

After the Health & Counseling Center has reviewed your request for exemption, you will receive notification in MyHealth. If HCC approves your exemption request, your vaccination status on the campus access portal will change to "exempt." For questions about accessing MyHealth or for help uploading, contact info@hcc.du.edu.

Those with an approved exemption (a) must comply with additional mitigation protocols, including more frequent testing, mandatory mask wearing indoors and outdoors in groups of five or more, and quarantine following travel or exposure; (b) are not approved for international travel for University business or academic programs; and (c) are not approved for provision of in-person clinical services on campus or in-person participation in field placements.

COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Requirements

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and the University of Denver strongly support requiring full vaccination of students against COVID-19 to return to in-person learning and on-campus activities. Requiring vaccination helps protect the health and welfare of students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community by limiting the spread of COVID-19 and the rise in variants. Accordingly, DU has required that students, faculty, and staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to campus beginning with the fall term 2021. DU has recently announced that all DU community members who are subject to the vaccination requirement and not already exempted from the COVID-19 vaccine must receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination by January 31, 2022, or as soon thereafter as they become eligible for a booster.

If you have an existing approved exemption, you do not need to file additional paperwork. Note that DU will not accept requests for non-medical exemptions from the booster requirement.

Exemptions to the COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Requirements

Medical exemptions to COVID-19 booster vaccination must be requested by submitting the Booster Medical Exemption form along with a letter or statement from your doctor indicating the clinically supported reason(s) you should not receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination, as well as the time period for which the exemption is required.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The HCC/DU recognizes that mandatory vaccination requirements may place undue burden on communities of color and those with trauma related to historical and contemporary experiences with medical care. We are relying on your compliance as we work to keep our communities safe. We have made efforts to remove barriers to care such as cost and access and follow the most rigorous scientific evidence available when providing and recommending healthcare to students. If you have questions or concerns about any aspect of the vaccination process, please reach out for support.

A list of resources and contact information listed in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion support webpage can be found here: https://www.du.edu/equity/dei-covid-19-resources

Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS)

The University of Denver Health & Counseling Center participates in the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS). Immunizations given at the DU HCC will be entered into CIIS. Other information such as past immunization records provided to the DU HCC, gender, and the office where each shot is given will be included in the registry to be sure that your record is accurate and cannot be confused with another patient's. Your address will also be included in the system to allow your health care provider to send you a card to remind you are due for an immunization. All information entered into CIIS is secure and confidential.

Under Colorado State Law, you can exclude your immunization information from participation. If you would like to opt out, please complete the form on the CIIS opt-out procedures page and provide a copy to CIIS as directed on the form.