COVID-19 Vaccine Exemptions

 

Spring 2023

Marist College students, faculty, and staff may request a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for Spring 2023 semester on a rolling basis from November 15, 2022 - December 15, 2022.  Individuals admitted to the College after December 15, 2022 must submit exemption requests within 15 days of registration.

Generally, the College will review and notify individuals of the outcome of their request within 10 business days of submission. Please note, the timeline for notification may vary depending on volume.

Medical exemptions:

• May be granted if a licensed physician, licensed nurse practitioner, licensed midwife (caring for a pregnant student) or licensed physician assistant certifies in writing that such vaccination may be detrimental to the individual’s health or is otherwise medically contraindicated.
• Must include a statement indicating which vaccine may be detrimental, including a detailed explanation of the valid medical basis for such determination, and the length of time for which it may be detrimental.
• Must be submitted separately for each vaccine from which they request a medical exemption.
• Will be in effect for the academic year for which the exemption is submitted. 
• Must be resubmitted annually.

Religious exemptions:

• May be granted if an individual, or a minor student’s parent or guardian, certifies in writing that they hold genuine and sincere religious beliefs which are contrary to the practice of immunization.
• Must describe with specificity the religious principles that guide the objection to immunization.
• Will not be granted when opposition to the immunization is medical, scientific, political, philosophical, ethical, or otherwise secular rather than religious in nature.   
• May require additional supporting documentation.
• Must be submitted for renewal on an annual basis.

Marist College is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive experience for all, and recognizes true and genuine observance of faith as it pertains to the practice of immunization.

All medical and religious exemption requests must be submitted on the exemption request forms provided by Marist below. Complete submissions will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis and individuals will be notified by email or secure message whether or not their exemption request was approved.  All decisions are final and are not subject to appeal. 

Please be aware that, if an exemption is granted, individuals who have not completed the full COVID-19 vaccine series and first booster will be subject to certain public health measures and must accept full responsibility for their health, thus removing liability from Marist College to the required immunizations. Subject to public health conditions, these restrictions may include, but are not limited to:

• Isolation or quarantine requirements
• Surveillance testing
• Inability to participate in certain high-risk activities without Marist- approved public health modifications being adopted.

Additional restrictions may be required for individuals who have not completed the full COVID-19 vaccine series and first booster, should the public health status change.

 

Exemption Form:

CLICK HERE to Download
COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Exemption Form

 

 

Upload Completed Exemption Documentation:

CLICK HERE to Upload Completed
COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Exemption Request