College Vaccination Requirements
Columbia College Chicago requires all students to be vaccinated. Those who booster-eligible are also required to receive the vaccine beginning January 24. Please review the latest protocols here.
Vaccination for employees is not required but is strongly encouraged. All individuals who need to submit proof of vaccination, can find instructions on the Upload your Vaccination Card page.
Note: To enter college buildings, unvaccinated individuals and those who are booster-eligible are required to display a negative COVID-19 test. Visit the Regular Testing Requirements section for more information on regular COVID-19 testing requirements and downloading the Navica App.
Students with questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination policy, how to submit their COVID-19 vaccination card, and how to request an exemption can email columbiacentral@colum.edu.
Want to schedule your vaccination appointment at Columbia?
Visit ColumbiaQ now.
Columbia College Chicago is a COVID vaccine site. Columbia receives both the Moderna (administered in two doses) and Johnson and Johnson (administered in one dose).
Appointments to receive a vaccination are available to students, faculty, and staff. In order to receive the vaccine on campus, you can make an appointment via ColumbiaQ.
GENERAL FAQ
- I lost my vaccination card. What should I do?If you have lost your vaccination card or don’t have a copy, contact your vaccination provider directly to access your vaccination record.
- If you cannot contact your vaccination provider directly, contact your state health department’s immunization information system (IIS). You can find state IIS information on the CDC website. Vaccination providers are required to report COVID-19 vaccinations to their IIS and related systems.
- If you enrolled in v-safe or VaxText after your first vaccine dose, you can access your vaccination information using those tools.
- If you have made every effort to locate your vaccination information, are unable to get a copy or replacement of your vaccination card, and still need a second shot, talk to a vaccination provider.
- How can I make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment on campus? The first step is to sign up for ColumbiaQ. When you sign up for possible vaccination at Columbia via VAXQ you will be asked to enter your personal information and to provide a preference for the time of day you want to be vaccinated. When doses are available, you will receive an email and text with an assigned appointment day, time, and location. If you have a conflict and cannot make that appointment, there will be a number for you to call and reschedule.
- Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine on campus without an appointment?In most cases, a pre-scheduled appointment is required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine on campus. We strongly recommend registering with ColumbiaQ and making an appointment.
- How does Columbia define fully vaccinated?
Being fully vaccinated means that you have received all required doses of the vaccine and the mandatory number of weeks have lapsed since your last dose.
According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's vaccine.
- Do I have to be vaccinated at Columbia, or can I get my vaccine elsewhere?
You do not have to be vaccinated through Columbia. We recommend that you select the vaccine provider that can provide you with the earliest possible appointment.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health and Chicago Department of Public Health are also administering doses along with other, private medical providers. If you live outside of Illinois, please inquire about vaccination resources in your home state.
Here are additional vaccination resources:
- If I come to campus for purposes of vaccination, will I have to take a COVID-19 test?Those coming to campus to receive their vaccine are not required to take the COVID-19 test prior to receiving vaccination.
- Why is Columbia requiring all students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and booster?
Columbia is requiring all students who are planning to attend the 2021-22 academic year to receive the COVID-19 vaccine because we have determined that it is essential to the health and well-being of the campus community. Ensuring that students are vaccinated will help Columbia maximize opportunities for in-person courses and social and cultural opportunities.
Everyone coming to campus in January is required to have a one-time, negative COVID-19 test result three days prior to their first visit back to campus. Boosters are also required beginning January 24. Please review the latest protocols here.
- How can I submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or an eligible exemption to Columbia? Columbia accepts off-campus COVID-19 vaccination records from students via MedProctor. Students can find instructions for submitting their records on the Immunization website. Please be aware that it will take 5 business days before your vaccination status has been processed and your card will be activated. If your card is not activated, you will not be permitted to enter campus.
- Which students are eligible to make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment on campus?
Students currently enrolled in the Fall 2021 semester.
- Which COVID-19 vaccine will I receive if I complete my vaccine on campus? Can I choose?
When you register for an appointment on the ColumbiaQ website, you will be able to choose your vaccine preference.
- I received my first dose somewhere else. Can I receive my second dose at Columbia (or vice versa)?
No, you must receive your first and second dose from Columbia if you are vaccinated through the Columbia College Chicago vaccination site.
Please be aware that you are required to take both doses of your vaccine from the same provider. Therefore, we ask that you only schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment on campus if you are certain that you can be present for both appointments (and two of the three approved vaccines require a second dose within several weeks of the first). If you are not certain that you can be present for both appointments, we recommend that you select a different provider who better aligns with your plans and location.
- I am participating in Semester in LA. Does this policy apply to me?
Yes, students participating in Semester in LA for the current semester are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination via MedProctor. Students living in our student housing in LA must submit their proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to move in. Additional information will be provided to Semester in LA students in the coming weeks.
- I have a religious belief that prohibits me from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. What should I do?
If you have a religious belief that prevents you from receiving any vaccines, you may be granted a religious exemption. To request a religious exemption, you must complete and sign our vaccination exemption request form detailing your objection to immunization on religious grounds. The form must state the specific religious belief that conflicts with the immunization.
You can download the vaccination exemption request form by logging into your MedProctor.com account. Your completed form must be uploaded to your MedProctor account. Students can find instructions for submitting their records via MedProctor on the Immunization website. Please note: Once Columbia has received documentation that you are fully vaccinated, it will take 5 business days to update your record and for your Campus Card to become active. If your Campus Card is not activated, you will not be permitted to enter campus so you must upload ASAP. Please factor this into your plans when visiting campus.
If you are granted a religious exemption, you will be required to test for COVID-19 when seeking entry to a college facility and are subject to the college's Regular COVID-19 testing requirement.
- I have a medical condition that prohibits me from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. What should I do?
If you have a medical condition that prevents you from receiving any vaccines, you may be granted a medical exemption. To request a medical exemption, you must submit a note from a licensed medical doctor explaining the nature and duration of the medical condition and identifying the specific vaccines that you cannot receive. Your doctor’s note must be uploaded to your MedProctor account. Students can find instructions for submitting their records via MedProctor on the Immunization website. Please note: Once Columbia has received documentation that you are fully vaccinated, it will take 5 business days to update your record and for your Campus Card to become active. If your Campus Card is not activated, you will not be permitted to enter campus so you must upload ASAP. Please factor this into your plans when visiting campus.
If you are granted a medical exemption, you will be required to test for COVID-19 when seeking entry to a college facility and are subject to the college's Regular COVID-19 testing requirement.
- All of my Fall 2021 courses are online and I do not plan to enter campus. Am I still required to submit proof of vaccination?Columbia's vaccination policy applies to all students who need to enter campus facilities for any reason during the Fall 2021 semester. Students without a verified vaccination record or approved medical or religious exemption will not be granted access to college buildings, and they will be restricted from registering for Spring 2022 courses.
- I don’t want to take a COVID-19 vaccine/I don’t trust it/or for other non-religious, non-medical reasons. What should I do?
Columbia’s policy requires that all students submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Failure to comply with the college’s policy could result in your Campus Card being deactivated or a hold being placed on your account. If you are concerned about the safety or effectiveness of FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines, we recommend that you review the vaccine guidance on the CDC’s website.
- I was vaccinated in my country for COVID-19, and the vaccine is not FDA approved. What should I do?
You will need to submit the vaccination records from your country via MedProctor and will not be required to be re-vaccinated with a FDA-approved vaccine. However, you will have the option of being re-vaccinated on campus (or through another provider) if you choose to do so. Students can find instructions for submitting their records on the Immunization website.
- Vaccination isn’t provided in my country or isn’t easily accessible, and it isn’t possible for me to be vaccinated prior to arriving on campus. What should I do?
If you are unable to be vaccinated prior to arriving on campus, you will be offered on-campus vaccination or directed to a local vaccine provider when you arrive in Chicago.
Following the CDC’s guidance, upon arrival to the U.S, international students who are unable to fully vaccinate must:
- Quarantine immediately for a full seven days after travel
- Test three-to-five days after travel
- Even if you test negative, you must quarantine for the full seven days.
- Without testing, students must quarantine for 10 days after travel.
- Become vaccinated immediately.
- Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not
- Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms; isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms
Unvaccinated international students will be required to get a regular test for COVID-19 that is no more than 2 days old when on campus until they are fully vaccinated. International students will have until the end of the 6th week of instruction at the latest to become fully vaccinated. Students can schedule their vaccination at Columbia’s vaccination site please visit VAXQ.
- What will happen if I don’t submit my COVID-19 vaccination records or test a minimum of every two days when on campus in the Fall 2021 semester?
Unvaccinated individuals seeking entry to a college facility will have to show evidence of a negative test that is no more than two days old.
Willful failure to comply with Columbia’s COVID-19 vaccination policy could result in your Campus Card being deactivated or a hold being placed on your account that prevents future registration.
- I have more questions about Columbia’s COVID-19 vaccination policy. Who should I ask?
If you have additional questions regarding Columbia’s COVID-19 vaccination policy, please email covid19info@colum.edu.
- Is Columbia requiring employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
No, however the College strongly encourages all employees to be vaccinated for their health and the well-being of the collective campus community. Vaccinations will also help Columbia maximize opportunities for in-person courses and social and cultural opportunities.
- How can I submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination if I am already vaccinated?
To facilitate the college’s ability to manage employee testing requirements and vaccination status, Human Resources has partnered with MediKeeper to implement a COVID Navigator app. The app allows employees to confidentially upload and provide the college with verification of their vaccination status. Please be aware that it will take 24 hours before your vaccination status has been processed and your card will be activated. If your card is not activated, you will not be permitted to enter campus.
What You Need to Do:- If you are fully vaccinated
- Log in to COVID Navigator to complete the vaccination questionnaire and upload a copy of your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card by July 9, 2021.
- You will not be required to test upon your return to campus as of the date you upload your vaccination card.
- If you are partially vaccinated (received one of two doses)
- Log in to COVID Navigator to complete the vaccination questionnaire and upload a copy of only the front of your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card reflecting the date of your first vaccine. If you upload a copy of the front and back of the card you will need to delete a photo the next time you log in to update your card with the second vaccine information. Click Save and Finish Later, your vaccination status will be reflected as Incomplete until you receive your second dose.
- You will be required to comply with on-site testing every three days, until two weeks past the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, and two weeks past the J&J dose.
- Upon receiving the second dose, log in again and upload the updated copy of the vaccination record card reflecting the date of your second vaccine. Your status will reflect Vaccinated.
- If you do not intend to get the COVID-19 vaccine
- You must comply with the college’s testing requirement prior to your return to campus the week of July 19 and every three days thereafter while you are on campus.
- If you are fully vaccinated
- I tried to get a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at Columbia, but they are full. What should I do?
Columbia is receiving a limited number of COVID-19 vaccine doses, and therefore will not be able to provide vaccination to everyone. If you are unable to get an appointment at Columbia, we encourage that you try to make an appointment with a different provider. Appointment eligibility rules and procedures vary by provider. If additional doses become available via ColumbiaQ, you will be notified.
- I received my first dose somewhere else. Can I receive my second dose at Columbia (or vice versa)?
No, you must receive your first and second dose from Columbia if you are vaccinated through the Columbia College vaccination site.
- I have more questions vaccination, who should I ask?
If you have additional questions regarding Columbia’s COVID-19 vaccination policy, please email covid19info@colum.edu.