COVID-19 update: Federal vaccine requirement for employees
An executive order by President Biden and federal task force guidance requires employees of federal contractors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Dec. 8. Full-time, part-time and temporary Carolina employees are subject to these requirements.
Dear Carolina Community,
As you may be aware, President Biden’s Executive Order 14042 and guidance issued by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force requires employees of federal contractors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no later than Dec. 8. UNC-Chapel Hill receives $160 million in federal contract funding, which supports cutting-edge research, educational programs and other initiatives, so the University is subject to these requirements.
We are providing as much information on this requirement as possible in this email, and you can find updates and more information on the Carolina Together Vaccine page.
Most employees already meet the federal requirement
As a result of our community’s efforts to encourage vaccination from the time they became available, the vast majority of University employees are already in compliance with this new requirement. They have already attested to, and in most cases, uploaded documentation of their vaccination status in Carolina’s secure system. This means that for most people, there is no further action needed. Thank you for doing your part in protecting yourself and those around you.
UNC-Chapel Hill employees who have attested to, but not yet uploaded documentation of their vaccination status to Carolina’s secure system, simply need to complete that step to ensure compliance. Those employees will receive communications directly asking them to do so no later than Dec. 8 at the Vaccination Certification form.
What is required?
We are taking a measured approach in notifying those employees who have not yet been vaccinated and are subject to the requirement.
The federal vaccine requirement applies to all employees who are working on or in connection with a federal contract or who work in the same location as employees working on a federal contract. The requirement applies to full-time, part-time and temporary employees, as well as those working remotely or under flexible work arrangements. Postdoctoral scholars and graduate assistants are also subject to the requirement. Subject to further federal guidance, however, the federal vaccine requirement does not apply broadly to all categories of student workers.
Beginning today, the small number of University employees who have not yet been vaccinated and who are subject to the new federal requirement will receive an individual email letting them know that they will be expected to let us know they are vaccinated at the Vaccination Certification form no later than Dec. 8. Employees who want to request a medical or religious exemption can find information and instructions at the Vaccination Certification form.
Subject to further guidance from the federal government, covered employees who do not comply with the vaccine requirement or receive an approved exemption may be subject to disciplinary action.
Key dates for the requirement
Under federal guidance, individuals are considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after completing either a second dose in a two-dose series or one dose of a single-dose vaccine. To be fully vaccinated by the Dec. 8 federal deadline, employees should complete their vaccination according to the following schedules:
- For Moderna, you should receive your first dose by Oct. 27 and your second dose by Nov. 24.
- For Pfizer, you should receive your first dose by Nov. 3 and your second dose by Nov. 24.
- For Johnson & Johnson you should receive one dose by Nov. 24.
Booster shots are not included under the federal vaccine requirement.
Getting your vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccine is free and readily available in our community. Faculty and staff can receive the vaccine at the Campus Health Pharmacy in the Student Stores, in central campus. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. In addition, the Carolina Together website has information about vaccine sites statewide, including UNC Health locations.
University policy allows employees up to eight hours in one day paid work time for vaccinations occurring within regular work hours, with their supervisor’s permission. Employees are also entitled to paid leave for adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations on the day or the day after the vaccine is received.
We encourage you to act now, for your own health and the health of your community and to continue the important work of our University.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz
Chancellor
Robert A. Blouin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Becci Menghini
Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and Equal Opportunity and Compliance
