UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For University Health Services to provide the best possible care when the need arises, Penn State strongly encourages all students to upload their COVID-19 vaccine records through myUHS. While the COVID-19 vaccine is not required at this time, Penn State strongly encourages all students to sign up for and get the first available vaccine.
“Students can help enhance Penn State’s ability to provide a safe campus environment by sharing vaccine records with the University,” said Micah Griffin, senior director of University Health Services. “In addition, the University's return to in-person experiences and a sense of normalcy depends in part on the community’s ability and willingness to be immunized and to share those records with the University.”
Students at University Park and all Commonwealth Campus locations can upload their vaccination records through myUHS after they receive their final dose — either two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, World Campus students are not able to upload records through myUHS. To upload a record, students can take a photo of the document. The record must include the student’s full name and date of birth, the type of vaccine, and the date(s) of administration to, potentially, exempt fully immunized students from certain health and safety protocols, such as quarantine.
The University is considering incentives to vaccinate based on the data learned from student vaccine status. In addition, fully immunized students may potentially be exempt from certain health and safety protocols, such as quarantine. Please do not wait to obtain your vaccine and upload your information.
International students who are planning to receive a vaccine in their home country are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine that is available based on their location. Students who receive a different vaccine than the ones listed above should also upload their record through myUHS. The number of doses required to be fully vaccinated may differ based on the vaccine type.
The COVID-19 vaccine teaches our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. It typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people are considered fully vaccinated, and, therefore, fully protected, two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 immunization, or two weeks after the single-dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 immunization.
After being vaccinated, it’s important to still take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by continuing to wear a mask, avoiding large crowds or gatherings, and participating in physical distancing requirements. Learn more about what you can do once you are fully vaccinated on the CDC website.
To find a vaccination site or learn more about eligibility in Pennsylvania and other states, visit the University's virus information website.