Student vaccine requirement update

September 15, 2021

This message was sent to University of Nevada, Reno students.

Dear Wolf Pack Students,

We are now nearly one month into the semester – an important milestone on our academic calendar and an equally important moment to remind all undergraduate and graduate students a key semester deadline coming quickly. On Nov. 1, the University will open registration for our spring 2022 semester. In order to enroll, all undergraduate and graduate students must provide proof of COVID-19 campus vaccination.

COVID-19 vaccine required for students at NSHE institutions

In August, the Nevada State Board of Public Health voted to require the COVID-19 vaccine for all students attending Nevada System of Higher Education institutions. The University is complying with the directive which will ensure the health, safety and well-being of our campus. Vaccinations are the best way to maintain our in-person operations, which includes in-person class instruction, student activities and students living and working on our campus.

Students must be fully vaccinated

All undergraduate and graduate students who plan on enrolling for the spring 2022 semester are required to provide documentation of a completed vaccination series against COVID-19 before enrolling for Spring 2022. This means you must receive both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine before you can register for classes when enrollment begins on Nov. 1.

COVID-19 vaccines

We are encouraging all undergraduate and graduate students — if you have not done so already — to start the process of becoming fully vaccinated by the Nov. 1 deadline. Students can accomplish this in a variety of ways. Individuals need only a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in order to become fully vaccinated. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses. For Pfizer, individuals must wait 21 days for the second dose to be administered. For Moderna, individuals must wait 28 days for the second dose.

You can take advantage of several options that are available to you in order to receive your vaccinations, including:

Submitting your vaccination documentation

All undergraduate and graduate students who plan to enroll and be on campus for the spring 2022 semester need to upload their proof of full vaccination on the University’s student vaccine requirement page. 

Please upload documents by Oct. 20 to ensure processing in time for your earliest enrollment time.

  • You will need to have your NSHE ID number when submitting your proof of vaccination.
  • These submissions will be verified and processed by Admissions and Records within 5-7 business days.
  • Once processed, enrollment holds within MyNevada will be automatically removed and you will be able to enroll is classes for the spring 2022 semester as your enrollment time comes available.

Exemptions

As with all required immunizations, there are limited exceptions for medical or religious reasons. Exemption forms are still being reviewed by the Nevada System of Higher Education in consultation with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health. Once the form is complete it will be available on the University’s student vaccine requirement page.

Religous exemptions. If the administration of immunizing agents is against your religious tenets or practices and you have a sincere religious belief, you can fill out the Religious Exemption Form (will be available at at a later date on the student vaccine requirement page).

Religious exemption requests will be evaluated and and processed by the Office of Admissions and Records. If approved, the enrollment hold will be lifted. Religious exemptions will need to be renewed on an annual basis. If the application is not approved, the student will receive direction with next steps.

Medical exemptions. Medical exemption requests will be reviewed and processed by the Student Health Center. Completed applications will be evaluated and if approved, the enrollment hold will be lifted. Exemptions may be approved on a temporary or permanent basis depending on the medical condition.

Please note: Nevada Administrative Code 441A.755 provides that if the health authority determines that, at University, there is a case having a communicable disease against which immunity is required for admission, and a student who has not submitted proof of immunity to that disease is attending that university, the president of the University shall require that: (a) The student be immunized; or (b) the student be excluded from the University until allowed to return by the health authority.

Students who are exempt from receiving the COVID vaccine for medical or religious reasons may be subject to regular testing for COVID-19.

Additional information can be found on the University’s student vaccine requirement page.

Thank you for your prompt attention in meeting this important fall semester deadline.