Updated Sept. 8, 2022

Covid Vaccination Protocols

Vaccines support everyone’s safety. Covid-19 vaccinations offer effective safeguards from individual infection and protection of the community’s health. Robust levels of vaccination and boosters on campus help Susquehanna University maintain normal activity.


Student Vaccinations

Susquehanna University require students who learn, live or work on campus to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 prior to arriving to campus. Students must be fully vaccinated with a Covid vaccine that is authorized in the United States by the FDA (e.g., Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) or by the World Health Organization (e.g., AstraZeneca/Oxford and Sinopharm).

Students who participate in university-sponsored international travel (and GO Short domestic programs) must be fully vaccinated and must follow latest CDC and host-location requirements prior to their departure. “Fully vaccinated” and “up to date” are additionally defined by each host location, which may include more recent boosters.

Student-athletes must be compliant with Susquehanna and NCAA vaccination protocols prior to the start of athletic practices and competitions.

Students may request an exemption from the Covid vaccination requirement for medical, religious or philosophical reasons, which will be considered for approval on an individual basis through the Student Health Center.

All new students must submit their Covid immunization record prior to arriving to campus if it is not already on file with the university. This can be done by sending a picture of the vaccine card to covidtesting@susqu.edu.

Questions about compliance with the vaccination requirement?
COVID-19 Hotline: 570-372-3333

Employee Vaccinations

Employees are strongly encouraged to be up to date vaccinated with a booster prior to returning to work on campus.

Faculty and staff members who choose to participate in the Global Opportunities Program as GO directors, whether traveling domestically or internationally with students, are required to be fully vaccinated. Some host locations could have further requirements to be up to date with boosters.

If you are both an SU student and an employee, you must follow the student vaccination protocols first, then those for employees.

Employees who are still not up to date vaccinated against Covid-19 are encouraged to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits of the vaccine and medical concerns you have.

  • Shot Appointment. Faculty and staff are encouraged to receive the Covid-19 vaccination, including the booster shot, and may schedule vaccine and booster appointments during the workday — notifying their supervisor and recording sick leave.

  • Shot Recovery. Faculty and staff who need time to recover from the vaccine or booster should notify their supervisor and record sick leave on their timesheets.

Employee Resources


Exemption Request from the Covid Vaccination Requirement

Susquehanna University may grant exemptions on a case-by-case basis. If granted an exemption, please note:

  • Vaccine exemptions from Susquehanna do not apply for international university-sponsored travel and GO Short domestic programs due to the nature of the programs as well as host regulations.
  • In the event of an outbreak, individuals exempt for medical reasons or religious objections should be protected from exposure. This may include exclusion from campus and/or required quarantine away from campus if exposed during an outbreak.
  • Susquehanna reserves the right to require exemption approvals be renewed for each academic year.

Medical Exemption: If a medical provider uses SU’s General Immunization Exemption Form to certify that a student’s health condition that is a valid contraindication to receiving a specific vaccine, then a permanent or temporary (e.g., pregnancy) exemption may be granted. On the form, the provider must specify which Covid immunization(s) that may be detrimental, why and for how long, and must sign the form. Medical exemptions for immunizations of other infections may not be considered applicable. A positive Covid antibody test (i.e., prior infection) does not exempt an individual from the vaccination requirement.

Religious Exemption: Requests for exemptions must describe the principles that guide an objection to immunization using SU’s General Immunization Exemption Form and be signed by the student (or parent or guardian if under the age of 18). The university may require supporting documents. Prior religious or philosophical exemption statements addressed to other institutions are not considered valid


 

Vaccination Locations

In accordance with Pennsylvania guidance, we strongly encourage college students and employees to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. Everyone age 5 and older is eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

Choosing to get a vaccine marks an important step to protect your own health and the health of everyone around you as we continue to unite against Covid.

There are several places in our local community offering vaccines. The type of vaccine varies depending on availability. You will be informed which vaccine is being offered as you register for an appointment. If you are unable to schedule an appointment using the links below, you can reach out to covidtesting@susqu.edu for additional assistance.

Bivalent (Omicron-specific) Boosters

On Sept. 1, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the use of updated Covid-19 bivalent booster shots specifically tailored to combat the two most prevalent omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5. The new booster shots — one by Moderna and another from Pfizer-BioNTech — are available locally and strongly encouraged for everyone at Susquehanna.

Bivalent formulations of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines are recommended for use as a single booster dose at least two months following completion of primary or booster vaccination. The bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is authorized for use in individuals 12 years of age and older, while the bivalent Moderna Covid-19 vaccine is authorized for use in individuals 18 years of age and older.

  • CVS Pharmacy – 1000 N Market St., Selinsgrove
    Has the Pfizer Omicron-sensitive Covid-19 vaccine booster. Schedule by calling (570) 374-2764 or online.
  • Evangelical Community Hospital – One Hospital Dr., Lewisburg
    Has both the Moderna and Pfizer Omicron-sensitive Covid-19 vaccine boosters. Call the vaccine hotline at 570-522-4530, option 1, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday or online.
  • Giant Pharmacy – 330 Marketplace Blvd., Selinsgrove
    Has both the Moderna and Pfizer Omicron-sensitive Covid-19 vaccine boosters. Appointments are preferred by calling (570) 743-0106, option 8.
  • Weis Markets – 719 Route 522, Selinsgrove
    Has both the Moderna and Pfizer Omicron-sensitive Covid-19 vaccine boosters. They only administer on certain days, so schedule an appointment at (570) 374-1210 or online.