COVID-19 vaccine

Frequently asked questions for employees

• Is the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory?

  No. The COVID vaccine is not mandatory. We encourage you to take advantage of the vaccine when it becomes available, to protect yourself and the people around you.

• How do employees opt-in to receive the vaccine?

  You will need to go to Workday to indicate whether or not you would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This is necessary to ensure that those who are interested are scheduled to receive the vaccine according to the appropriate phase and availability.

• Can I change my preference for receiving the vaccine once I declare?

  Yes. You can update your preference in Workday. However, if you select “no” and then change to “yes,” the timing of distribution of the vaccine may be delayed. If you select “yes” and then change to “no,” you will be removed from the scheduling system.

• When will the University receive more doses of the vaccine?

  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determines the national distribution of vaccines, and we currently receive the vaccines from the state. There is not a clear line of sight into how many we receive and when we receive them. As soon as we receive a shipment of vaccines, we are ready to deploy our teams to distribute the vaccine following state and federal guidelines.

• Will we get more than one of the vaccines?

  The first doses will be the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, but as others receive Emergency Use Authorization or FDA approval, we expect to receive those as well.

• How will I know when I am eligible for the vaccine?

  Once you select your preference in Workday and you meet the requirement for the appropriate phase, you will receive an email prompting you to schedule your appointment. Managers will also be alerted when their employees’ phases are open.

• Will I need to make an appointment?

  Yes. The email prompting you to schedule your appointment will be sent to your University email address.

• Will all employees be able to get the vaccine? How about students?

  Following federal and state guidelines, we have established a phased plan to distribute the vaccine—beginning with employees who care for or work around COVID-19 patients, moving to other high-risk populations, faculty, staff, and students. The timing is still unknown, but we expect it will take several months to receive enough vaccine for all phases.

• Is the vaccine safe?

  The vaccine is being released by the Food and Drug Administration under an Emergency Use Authorization, which means that it has been evaluated and shown to be safe and effective. To gain approval, any vaccine would have been tested in a trial of at least 30,000 people, scientifically showing that it is indeed safe and efficacious against the coronavirus. If you have any questions about whether you should take the vaccine, please contact your health care provider.

• What if I am pregnant or nursing?

  We do not recommend the vaccine during pregnancy or for nursing mothers due to the lack of information in this group. It is recommended that women not get pregnant for two months after the second injection.

• Where can I find more information on the safety, eligibility, and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine?

  Because details of the vaccines are continually updated, comprehensive information is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/index.html. 

• If I get the vaccine will I still need to wear a mask?

  Yes. Measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus remain extremely important since it will likely be many months before a significant number of people have received the vaccine. Wear a mask at all times, stay at least six feet away from other people, continue to wash your hands frequently, and avoid large gatherings. Public health experts strongly recommend that you avoid traveling as well.

• Can employees request to change the phase they are assigned?

  If you think that the phase listed for you in Workday should be changed, please contact your supervisor.

Frequently asked questions for students

• Is the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory? Will it be mandatory for the Fall 2021 semester?

  COVID-19 vaccines are strongly encouraged, but they are not mandatory at this time.

• Why haven’t I received a notification to schedule my vaccine appointment even though I opted in via CaneLink?

  All members of the University of Miami community—including students—who have opted in to receive the COVID-19 vaccine are assigned a phase to ensure the vaccine is distributed in accordance with current guidelines from federal, state, and local officials as well as in accordance with ethical health principles. Students’ on-campus employment, modality of instruction for the Spring 2021 semester, place of residence, and class standing help determine their assigned phase.

• How long will it take to receive a notification to schedule an appointment after I’ve opted in?

  Students will receive a notification to schedule an appointment once their assigned phase has been activated. Phases are activated based on the vaccine supply provided to UHealth by the state. Given the limited supply and strict distribution guidelines, we cannot predict when each phase will be activated. Students will receive a text message and/or email message from MyUHealthChart with an invitation to schedule an appointment as soon as vaccine supply allows.

• Due to an extenuating circumstance, I feel that I should be prioritized to receive a vaccine. Who should I contact to review my eligibility?

  For questions related to student vaccines, contact 305-243-ONE-U or UMcovidvaccineinfo@miami.edu.

• I have a health condition that puts me at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Why haven’t I been notified to schedule an appointment yet?

  Students with documented underlying health conditions that place them at severe risk of illness from COVID-19 will be among the first to be notified to schedule their appointment. Please contact Student Health Service at studenthealth@miami.edu if you have an underlying health condition as identified by the CDC if you have not received an appointment notification within three days of opting in to receive the vaccine.

• Which vaccine will I receive?

  The vaccine you receive depends on the vaccine that is available. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate requests for specific vaccine brands. We will let you know when you schedule your appointment which vaccine is available. If you should choose not to accept this invitation, we cannot guarantee when you will be able to make another appointment for another COVID-19 vaccine at UHealth.

• I am planning to leave campus before the required 21-day (or 28-day) waiting period for my second dose. Should I schedule an appointment for my first dose anyway?

  Please review your end-of-semester travel plans before scheduling your appointment. Upon scheduling your appointment, you will be asked to confirm whether or not you will be available to receive your second dose at the on-campus vaccination site. Only schedule your first dose if you will be available for your second dose; students may not schedule one dose on campus with plans to receive a second dose elsewhere.

• What should I do if I cannot schedule an appointment because the available times conflict with an academic obligation like class or an internship?

  Students are encouraged to schedule a vaccine appointment that does not interfere with academic obligations. Contact your professors directly if you have questions.

• What happens if I miss my appointment?

  Reschedule your appointment in MyUHealthChart (subject to availability).

• I am currently studying remotely but live near campus and have paid the health and counseling center fee. Am I eligible to receive a vaccine on campus?

  Yes, students who study remotely are eligible to opt in to receive a vaccine. Those who opt in will be invited to schedule an appointment as part of the University’s phased distribution plan, subject to vaccine availability.

  Remote learning students who opt in to receive the vaccine will be required to test for COVID-19 prior to their appointment. Remote learning students who opt in will receive a separate communication with details about the testing requirement. Remote learning students who currently reside outside of Florida should utilize community resources in their home state to receive the vaccine.

• I recently tested positive for COVID-19. Should I still get vaccinated? What happens if I am in quarantine/isolation during my appointment time?

  Students who tested positive for COVID-19 in the past can receive a vaccine. However, students should not schedule an appointment during their isolation/quarantine period. As long as you have no COVID-19 symptoms and have finished your time of quarantine or isolation you may schedule an appointment when invited.

• Do I need to continue following campus guidelines (e.g. weekly testing appointments and wearing a face covering) even after I am fully vaccinated?

  Yes. Students who are vaccinated must still comply with mandatory University COVID-19 testing if they reside on campus or are engaged in on-campus classes or activities. Fully vaccinated individuals should still wear masks, physically distance in public, and avoid crowds. Use of the Daily Symptom Checker is still required and masks must be worn on all University of Miami campuses. Individuals who are at least two weeks beyond having been fully vaccinated and who have no symptoms do not need to go into isolation or quarantine after a known exposure or close contact.

• Where can I find more information about getting a vaccine at an off-campus site?

  Because we do not know when vaccines will be available at UHealth, we strongly encourage students, faculty, and staff to utilize community resources, such as Walgreens, Publix, CVS, and other local pharmacies where you may be able to get vaccinated much sooner. Here are links to sites that may be helpful in finding and scheduling an appointment:

  • Miami-Dade County vaccination pre-registration site
  • Florida vaccination pre-registration site
  • Florida COVID-19 response site
  • VaccineFinder site

• How can I obtain proof that I live on campus in order to receive a vaccine at an off-campus site?

  Students who live on campus can submit a residency verification request to Housing and Residential Life by completing this form. Please allow up to three business days for processing.

• I received a vaccine off campus. Should I upload proof of my vaccination?

  We do encourage students who have been vaccinated off campus to upload documentation to their MyUHealthChart account, however that is not required at this time. Any future updates to this directive will be communicated to students.

• Should I take acetaminophen or ibuprofen before getting the vaccine?

  It is not recommended to take any medicine prior to the vaccine.

• I have allergies and don’t know whether I should get the vaccine. What should I do?

  Please contact your home health care provider. If you do not have one, contact Student Health Service.

• If I am pregnant or think I might be pregnant, should I get the vaccine?

  The risk of getting COVID-19 while pregnant is greater than the risk of getting the vaccine. However, this is a discussion you should have with your doctor.

• What are the possible side effects of the vaccine and how should I manage them?

  You may have some side effects after receiving the vaccine, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. On the arm where you got the shot: pain, redness, and swelling. Throughout the rest of your body: fever, chills, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, and nausea. Visit the CDC website for more information and tips on managing the side effects from the vaccine.

• Who should I contact if I have questions about the vaccine, my eligibility, or scheduling an appointment?

  For questions related to student vaccines, contact 305-243-ONE-U or UMcovidvaccineinfo@miami.edu.

Contacts and resources

• For more information: COVID-19 vaccine email for help
• For UHealth and Miller School employees: Visit UMed Insider
• For Workday support: Here are steps to make selection:
  1. Visit Workday here
  2. Click Edit on “OP-in to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine”
  3. Select Y/N
  4. Click Ok
• Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 vaccine information