January 10, 2022

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Duke University will extend the deadline for faculty and staff to receive the booster shot due to a change in the eligibility criteria.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed the eligibility criteria for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines from six month to five months after receiving a second dose. This change leaves little time for those who are newly eligible after five months to get their booster shot by the Feb. 1 deadline. As a result, all faculty and staff will be required to get a booster shot by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022, or within 28 days of their eligibility under CDC and state guidelines, whichever date is later.

Please note that due to the infectiousness of the Omicron variant, we encourage all faculty and staff members to get the booster as soon as they are eligible.

Next week, school and department leaders will begin receiving weekly reports for eligible faculty and staff who have not yet received their booster shots.

Locations

The booster shot is a condition of employment for all faculty and staff of Duke University, regardless of work location. For booster scheduling options at Duke facilities, visit the Duke COVID Vaccine website. In the community, booster vaccinations are conveniently available at local pharmacies, supermarkets and many other locations listed on the Durham County Department of Public Health website or NC DHHS directory.

Exemptions

If a faculty or staff member has already submitted and received a COVID-19 exemption, they do not need to reapply for an exemption for the booster at this time.

Submission of Booster Documentation

If you received your booster through Employee Occupational Health & Wellness (EOHW), you do not need to provide additional documentation. If you received the booster in the community (such as a retail pharmacy or a Duke patient clinic), you will need to submit your vaccination documentation using the Duke VaxTrax online system.

Safe Practices

In addition to receiving your COVID-19 booster vaccination, it is crucial to continue to practice safe behaviors to keep ourselves and those around us safe and healthy. Wear a mask at all times in Duke owned and leased facilities. Practice good hand hygiene. Maintain a safe distance from others, especially when removing your mask to eat or drink.

Getting the booster can help protect you, your friends, and your colleagues, as well as ensure that our hospital and clinical resources are available to support the community during a time of urgent need. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.

Kyle Cavanaugh
Vice President, Administration

Carol Epling, MD, MSPH
Director, Employee Occupational Health & Wellness