Vice Provost for Academic Integration Gary Koretzky and Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellbeing, Student and Campus Life Sharon McMullen sent the following message Oct. 25:

The FDA and CDC have expanded the use of COVID-19 boosters to eligible individuals who received a final dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or of Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago. Under the current CDC guidance, individuals who are over 65, as well as those who work or live in a residential educational setting, are now eligible for a booster. 

Cornell is not requiring members of our community to receive a booster at this time; however, as breakthrough cases continue to occur, we encourage you to consider receiving a booster once eligible. Boosters are readily available for eligible individuals. Refer to the Tompkins County Health Department for information about options for vaccination locally or visit vaccines.gov for more general information.

Students, faculty and staff who receive a COVID-19 booster are encouraged to upload documentation through the Daily Check. Though not required, it allows the university to adapt to evolving public health guidelines and to understand the level of protection of our campus community.

We have also entered into flu season. If you have not done so already, please consider getting a flu vaccine. Public health guidance indicates that there is no risk to receiving a COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine simultaneously or soon after one another. For the Ithaca campus, Cornell Health offers on-campus clinics, open to the entire campus community, now through Thursday, Nov. 11. Advance sign-ups are preferred, though walk-ins are permitted. Those on the Cornell Tech campus can schedule an appointment at a local pharmacy. 

Thank you for continuing to take preventative measures necessary to keep our campus community healthy and safe. Please refer to the university’s COVID-19 response website for the latest updates.