Vaccine Policy
View the COVID-19 VACCINE POLICY
COVID-19 VACCINE RESOURCES
Vaccine Information: US 

In addition to the resources below, you can visit the CDC’s Vaccine Resource webpage, which links to each state’s vaccine resources.  

Nationwide:   

 

Vaccine Information: International

vaccine policy

Your Health and Safety Are Our Top Priority

 

Dear Physicians-in-Training,

There are many reasons you chose to pursue a life dedicated to medicine—making a real difference in the lives of others and your community likely tops that list.

As an organization dedicated to graduating exceptional physicians, the health and well-being of all our students, colleagues and our community are the top priority for us. To ensure we’re doing our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as variants emerge and cases start to rise once again, we have adopted a policy requiring students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. By fully vaccinated we mean at least two weeks have passed since your single (J&J) dose of a one-shot regimen or a second dose of a two-shot regimen (Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm-BBIBP, or CoronaVac). Please see the policy for details on accommodations and exemptions. New students accepted to RUSM need to log into the RUSM Safe App to either submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or confirm that an exemption request has been made prior to registration.

 

Why We Implemented This Policy  

RUSM’s vaccination policy was created based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), American Medical Association, and other local administrative or governmental agencies and ministries—and with the health and well-being of our students and colleagues top of mind. 

With our fall 2021 return to more traditional in-person learning environments, clinicals and other in-person activities, it's crucial we do our part to protect ourselves, our family members and others from transmitting COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can help us do so—and it can help you keep the communities you serve healthier and safer.   

 

Benefits of Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine 

There are many reasons to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Here are some key points to consider: 

  • According to the CDC, vaccines are safe and effective and were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization (EUA). Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC (Viewed July 2021)  

  • COVID-19 has caused a lot of severe illness, hospitalization and death. It’s our social responsibility as healthcare students, providers and educators to prevent the spread—and getting the vaccine is the most effective way to block transmission of COVID-19 between you and the community. 

  • You can join the medical community in leading by example: According to a recent survey by the American Medical Association (AMA), over 96% of doctors fully vaccinated against COVID-19 | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org) (Viewed July 2021)  

  • The American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, Association of American Medical Colleges, and 50 other healthcare professional societies support mandatory COVID-19 vaccination of healthcare workers to keep the frontlines and the patients they serve safe. | Association of American Medical Colleges (aamc.org). (Viewed August 2021)

  • Once you’re vaccinated, you may be able to start doing more of the activities you couldn’t do since the pandemic began (depending on local guidelines and restrictions).   

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with this policy. For Frequently Asked Questions, see below. If you have questions not already addressed in the Frequently Asked Questions section, please reach out to:

Remember, the health and safety of all our students, colleagues, and the community are our top priority. Please help us do our part by getting vaccinated today.  

Thank you, again, for helping to make a real difference in the lives of our communities!   

 

Sincerely,   

Heidi Chumley, MD, MBA 
Dean
Ross University School of Medicine 

 

 

GENERAL FAQS

Why is Adtalem Global Education and its institutions -- including RUSM -- adopting a COVID-19 vaccination policy for students and colleagues?

As a leader in healthcare education, it's important we do our part to stop the spread of and risk of COVID-19. The decision to require vaccinations is not one we made lightly; however, overwhelming scientific evidence has shown that vaccines are safe and effective at reducing transmission of the virus. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization (EUA).

Representing a milestone in the fight against the pandemic, the FDA approved the first COVID-19 vaccine on August 23, 2021. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.

More than 171 million people in the United States alone have received COVID-19 vaccines since they were authorized for emergency use by the FDA. These vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in US history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. 

What is the COVID-19 vaccination policy?

Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidance to prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, RUSM is requiring all students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, meaning at least two weeks have passed since your single (J&J) dose or second dose of a two-dose regimen (Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm-BBIBP, and CoronaVac). Proof of the COVID-19 vaccination must be submitted through the RUSM Safe App, where permitted by local law, unless an exemption or accommodation from this policy has been granted.

To be compliant with this policy, all students must log into the RUSM Safe App to either 1) submit proof of vaccination OR 2) confirm that you have requested an exemption from equity@adtalem.com. Even if you have been granted an exemption or accommodation from equity@adtalem.com, you still need to log into the RUSM Safe App to receive your "exemption" QR code.

To request an exemption or accommodation, please contact the following: 

What is the deadline for submitting my proof of vaccination? 

RUSM students must submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or confirm that an exemption request has been made via the Safe App by September 30, 2021.

On what guidance is this policy based?

This policy is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other local administrative or governmental agencies and ministries, and is designed to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

What does it mean to be “fully vaccinated” in the policy?

In the case of this COVID-19 vaccination policy, it means you have had a single-dose vaccine (such as J&J) or two-dose vaccine (such as Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm-BBIBP, or CoronaVac) and it has been 14 days since your final vaccine.

If you have received the first dose and are scheduled to receive the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or it has been less than 14 days since your last vaccine by the deadline to submit proof, contact the Office of Equity and Access immediately at equity@adtalem.com. By providing proof of your first dose and proof of scheduling the second dose, they will advise you about approving an extension to the deadline. 

Isn’t requiring vaccines illegal?

Mandating vaccines as a condition of employment or attendance at an education institution is legal. Adtalem’s mandatory vaccination policy is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other local administrative or governmental agencies and ministries, and is designed to comply with all applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws in all countries in which we operate. If your country, province, state or local area does not permit required vaccines, or proof of vaccination, you may find that information in the policy. 

 Is asking for proof of vaccination a HIPAA violation? 

No. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has protections for patients’ confidential health information, but it covers what your healthcare provider can share with others, rather than what employers and education institutions can ask for from you. Similarly, we have ensured that our process complies with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe and all other relevant privacy laws in all countries in which we operate.

Which vaccines are allowable to satisfy this requirement?  

Any FDA or WHO Emergency Use Authorization-approved, or fully approved, COVID-19 vaccine, including a single (J&J) dose or two (Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm-BBIBP, and CoronaVac) dose regiment satisfies this requirement.  

Why is Adtalem doing this before the FDA, or other government agencies in other countries, have fully approved all the vaccines? 

Mandating vaccinations is not a decision we made lightly; however, overwhelming scientific evidence has shown that these vaccines are safe and effective at reducing transmission of the virus. The vaccines met the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality needed to support emergency use authorization (EUA). As a leader in healthcare education, it’s important we do our part to stop the spread and risk of COVID-19.

Representing a milestone in the fight against the pandemic, the FDA approved the first COVID-19 vaccine on August 23, 2021. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.

If I am fully vaccinated, will I still have to follow certain COVID-19 prevention measures, such as face mask or social distancing requirements?

Fully vaccinated (in this case defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series, such as Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm-BBIBP, or CoronaVac vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as J&J) individuals will still be required to comply with RUSM campus safety measures, including:

  • Use of a facemask while on campus (indoors and outside)
  • Adherence to social distancing (6 feet indoors and 3 feet outside)
  • Completion of our daily health assessment on the RUSM Safe App
  • Participation in our random surveillance testing program
If I already had COVID-19 or can show proof of antibodies, do I still need to be vaccinated?

 Students are required to be fully vaccinated, regardless of having contracted COVID-19 in the past. 

Will boosters be required? 

As recommendations from the CDC, WHO and other governing bodies and agencies evolve, RUSM reserves the right to modify this policy at any time in its sole discretion to adapt to changing circumstances and business needs, consistent with its commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy learning and living environment.

Do I still need to complete the Safe App every day I come onsite after I am vaccinated? 

Yes. As we do our part to monitor and quickly respond to any emergent cases, we are still requiring vaccinated community members to fill out the RSUM Safe App health assessment prior to entering campus. 

VACCINE REQUIREMENTS

What happens if I am not fully vaccinated by the deadline Adtalem and RUSM have set?

Students who choose not to meet this COVID-19 vaccine requirement and do not receive an exemption may be barred from entering the campus, utilizing student housing, attending or participating in University-sponsored activities, and/or beginning their clinical rotation or clinical practicum (subject to reasonable accommodation and other requirements of applicable federal, state, and local law). RUSM also reserves the right to facilitate a withdrawal or dismissal for noncompliance with this policy. 

SUBMITTING PROOF OF VACCINATION

Where do I provide proof of vaccination?

You must provide proof of vaccination from the vaccine administrator or a CDC-issued vaccination card including the vaccination place, date(s) and name via the RUSM Safe App. Please do not include any medical or genetic information with your proof of vaccination. Rest assured that we will keep your vaccination information confidential. Instructions for submitting your proof of vaccination are available here. Instructions for submitting your proof of vaccination are available here. 

I lost my vaccine card. What do I do? 

Contact the Office of Equity and Access at equity@adtalem.com and make arrangements with the government agency, company or store at which you were vaccinated to obtain another copy of your proof of vaccination.   

What is acceptable Proof of vaccination?

You must provide proof of vaccination from a vaccine administrator or a CDC-issued vaccination card including the vaccination place, date(s), and name via the RUSM Safe App. Please do not include any medical or genetic information with your proof of vaccination. Rest assured that we will keep your vaccination information confidential.

How do I submit my proof of vaccination?

Open the RUSM Safe App on your iOS or Android decide and click the Vaccine Passport button at the top of your screen. You will be prompted to answer a brief series of questions and then asked to upload a photo of your vaccination proof. Your initial status will be blue (in progress) but will change to either green (approved) gold (approved exemption), or red (denied) based on our review.   

 

See our Quick Reference Guide  

How do I download the RUSM Safe App?

The RUSM Safe App is available for download to your Android or iOS device via Google Play or the Apple App Store.

What if I don't have a smartphone or tablet?

You can submit proof of vaccination via https://rossumed.apparmor.com/webapp/default.aspx?menu=Vaccine+Passport.

Do I need to complete the Vaccine Passport if I've been approved for an exemption?

Yes, you must log into the RUSM Safe App and confirm your exemption request or approval by the September 30 deadline. You can do this by selecting the Vaccine Passport button on the Safe App and then clicking Exemption Applied For. After answering the questions, you will be given an initial status of blue (in progress) before receiving a gold (approved) or red (denied) final status.   

 

See our Quick Reference Guide  

Who do I contact if I have issues uploading my proof of vaccination?

Our support team at asksecurity@adtalem.com is available to assist should you experience any issues.

I only received one dose of a two-dose vaccine, what should I do?

If you will not be fully vaccinated before the deadline but have received one dose and/or have an appointment to get fully vaccinated, you'll need to apply for an exemption with equity@adtalem.com before September 30.

My status in the Safe App says “In-Progress” – what should I do? 

Please be patient with us. Your status will automatically update once it has been reviewed. If your status is still pending after five (5) business days, you can reach out to asksecurity@adtalem.com.   

My status in the Safe App says “Denied” – what should I do? 

Contact asksecurity@adtalem.com for more information.

Vaccine Administration

How and where do I schedule a COVID-19 vaccine?

You are responsible for scheduling and obtaining all recommended doses of an FDA or WHO Emergency Use Authorization-approved, or fully approved, COVID-19 vaccine. In the event you are unable to obtain the vaccine due to your physical location or health reasons, you will need to follow the Accommodation and Exemption Request Process.

I am getting the vaccine, but I won’t have both doses by the deadline. What do I do? 

Please contact the Office of Equity and Access at equity@adtalem.com with proof of your first dose and proof of scheduling the second dose. They will advise you about approving an extension to be fully vaccinated. 

ACCOMMODATION AND EXEMPTION REQUESTS

What does the disability accommodation policy entail and how do I apply?

The disability accommodation policy provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities that enable them to perform their job or student duties. Reasonable accommodation may include appropriate adjustment or modifications of policies, including this Mandatory Vaccination Policy. 

If you believe you need an accommodation regarding this policy because of a disability, you are responsible for requesting a reasonable accommodation from the institution or program’s disability services provider. The Office of Student Disability Services can be reached at 855.229.0848 or the appropriate email address below to begin the request process. Please note documentation will be required as part of the process. 

rossmedosds@adtalem.com

What does the religious accommodation entail and how do I apply?

Adtalem Global Education and its institutions provide reasonable accommodations to students with sincerely held religious beliefs or practices that conflict with getting vaccinated or receiving the type of vaccine currently available.

If you believe you need an accommodation regarding this policy because of your sincerely held religious belief, you are responsible for requesting a reasonable accommodation from the Office of Equity and Access at equity@adtalem.com. To expedite the review of your request, please provide the following as one document along with your submission:

  • How the requested accommodation will fulfill your need to meet your religious beliefs (i.e., how a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observation conflicts with the requirements in RUSM’s student COVID-19 Vaccination Policy); and

  • Any additional relevant information the student wants considered in the review. 

What does exemption for access reasons include?

 Exemptions for students who are unable to access the vaccine may be available on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exemption are required to provide supporting documentation outlining why their circumstances prevent them from obtaining a vaccine to equity@adtalem.com at least two weeks prior to the vaccination deadline for your institution. For exemption requests not related to health conditions, students are required to upload a personal statement, along with the exemption form. Students receiving a vaccination exemption may be required to participate in increased levels of COVID-19 testing, masking and quarantine/isolation procedures.

How are determinations on exceptions made?

Adtalem and its institutions make determinations about requested accommodations and exemptions on a case-by-case basis considering various factors and based on an individualized assessment in each situation. Adtalem and its institutions strive to make these determinations expeditiously and in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner and will inform you after we make a determination.