Va. Dept. of Health: All Higher Ed. Faculty and Staff Eligible for COVID Booster

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has asked for assistance in conveying a message on behalf of Dr. Danny Avula, vaccine czar for Virginia, to all public institutions of higher education (IHE).

In responding to a request for guidance on whether IHE faculty and staff should have access to COVID-19 vaccination boosters, Dr. Avula states that all IHE faculty and staff qualify for boosters. Further, VDH asks that if IHE experience resistance from local health departments in gaining access to boosters for faculty and staff, then such information should be shared with VDH. I’m glad to help support that communication, if needed. Hopefully, Dr. Avula’s designation of faculty and staff as qualifying for the booster is sufficient to remove any resistance that may exist.  

Please note that Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) guidance on Governor’s Executive Directive 18 does not currently address requirements for boosters (see DHRM FAQ #14) and, therefore, employees are not currently required to seek or provide evidence of a booster vaccination. Further, we will not be tracking booster vaccinations unless we are instructed by DHRM to do so. As such, faculty and staff who seek boosters should maintain their records in case we are later called upon for evidence of boosters. 

In summary, Dr. Avula’s statement on vaccinations is intended to provide access to boosters for faculty and staff who want them, but there is currently no requirement for faculty or staff to obtain a booster. 

Submitted by:
Craig Herndon, Sr. Vice Chancellor for Admin, Finance and Tech, VCCS