All Gallaudet University and Clerc Center employees, all new and returning Gallaudet students, and all Clerc Center students who are 18 years of age or older are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to appear on campus. All other community members – including Clerc Center students ages 12 to 17 – are strongly encouraged to become vaccinated.

Not being vaccinated is not a reason to be waived from returning to campus, unless you are in a defined remote position. 

Gallaudet will grant waivers for medical or health reasons with appropriate documentation. Waivers for other reasons will be evaluated on a case by case basis. The application process for a waiver is being established and will be communicated once available. Remote/online options will be discussed for employees who have been granted a waiver from returning to campus.

Not being vaccinated is not a reason to be waived from returning to campus. 

Gallaudet will grant waivers for medical or health reasons with appropriate documentation. Waivers for other reasons will be evaluated on a case by case basis. The application process for a waiver is being established and will be communicated once available. Remote/online options will be discussed for students who have been granted a waiver from returning to campus. 

Clerc Center is still assessing whether a fully remote option is feasible for their programs. A decision will be made before the end of June, following input sessions with employees and families.

• For vaccine related questions: Gallaudet and Clerc Center students and employees may contact coronavirus@gallaudet.edu.
• For employment related questions, Gallaudet and Clerc Center employees may contact Human Resources at hr@gallaudet.edu. 
• KDES students and families may contact kdes.leadership@gallaudet.edu or  cao.clerccenter@gallaudet.edu. 

MSSD students and families may contact kdes.leadership@gallaudet.edu or cao.clerccenter@gallaudet.edu.

If your home country does not provide documentation of vaccination, you may do the following.

• Schedule an appointment with a U.S. Citizenship and Immgration Services (USCIS) authorized physician.
• Bring any documentation that is available, including the date(s) of vaccination.
• The doctor will review any available evidence, and may conduct a blood test for COVID-19 antibodies.
• The doctor will provide certification of vaccination and/or recommend another vaccine.

No. It is not recommended that you delay vaccination if another vaccine is available to you. All WHO authorized vaccines are accepted by Gallaudet and Clerc Center. If you receive a vaccine not authorized by WHO, you may seek a medical exemption by following these instructions.

Yes. Vaccines are available based on residency, not citizenship status. If you are an international student living in the United States you are eligible to receive a free vaccination.

Employees and students who do not qualify for an exemption and fail to get vaccinated will not be permitted on campus.

If you receive a religious or medical exemption, you will be required to follow the same protocols as all other Gallaudet and Clerc Center employees and students – including social distancing and use of personal protective equipment. You will be able to live in residence halls, attend classes in person, and participate in campus activities. You may also be required to take other measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission.

Yes. Religious and medical exemptions to this requirement will be considered in the same way as other vaccinations. For medical requests, you must submit documentation from your healthcare provider stating the reason and diagnosis which prohibits vaccination. For religious requests, employees or students/guardians must submit a letter expressing the reason for exemption.

More information about how to submit these requests is here. Requests will be reviewed by the appropriate personnel and responded to within two weeks.