FAQs

Currently the policy only applies to students living in Michigan Housing on the Ann Arbor campus. As of July 5, 2023, all U-M students residing in Michigan Housing on the Ann Arbor campus are required to submit documentation showing whether they are vaccinated for the following vaccinations in line with the CDC immunization schedule:

• COVID-19 vaccine
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
• Meningococcal A (MenACWY) vaccine
• Polio vaccine
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
• Varicella vaccine (chicken pox)

U-M students who are not vaccinated with any of the above six (6) vaccinations may be asked to submit an attestation that states that they are not vaccinated and understand they may be subject to additional public health protocols should there be a public health need. The requirements in this policy are in addition to other vaccination requirements that may be applicable to faculty, staff, and students by their school, college, unit or third-party partners.

Last Updated: July 28, 2023

• After U-M receives your enrollment deposit, we will send you an email with a link to the Michigan Housing application. If you’ve submitted your enrollment deposit and waited three weeks but have not received an email, write to housing@umich.edu. Make sure you include your U-M ID number.
• Submit your Michigan Housing application as soon as possible.
• Concurrently, you need to submit your information about your vaccination history, including whether you are unvaccinated. Submitting this information is required in order to receive a Michigan Housing contract.
• Please submit your vaccination history on these six vaccines, in line with the CDC immunization schedule:
  • COVID-19 vaccine
  • Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine 
  • Meningococcal A (MenACWY) vaccine
  • Polio vaccine
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
  • Varicella vaccine (chicken pox)
  U-M students who are not vaccinated with any of the above six vaccinations may be asked to submit an attestation that states that they are not vaccinated and understand they may be subject to additional public health protocols should there be a public health need. The university highly recommends but no longer requires the COVID-19 vaccination.

Last Updated: November 1, 2023

You can submit this information Vax Viewer (accessed via Wolverine Access - COVID-19 & Health Response). Students vaccinated in Michigan are able to request a copy of their MCIR record showing their vaccination history. Students vaccinated outside of Michigan may be able to locate their records through their primary care physician or their state immunization information system. Many countries outside of the U.S. also have immunization information systems. International students are encouraged to check with their primary care providers or the country’s Ministry of Health.

Last Updated: October 31, 2023

Students vaccinated in Michigan are able to request a copy of their MCIR record showing their vaccination history. Students vaccinated outside of Michigan may be able to locate their records through their primary care physician or their state immunization information system. Many countries outside of the U.S. also have immunization information systems. International students are encouraged to check with their primary care providers or the country’s Ministry of Health. Students who are not able to find their vaccination records may complete an attestation as part of the vaccination reporting process (this does not apply to COVID-19, which has a separate reporting process).

Last Updated: February 22, 2023

A single dose Tdap after age 11 will meet the university’s requirements. If you have only received a Td vaccine (which protects against tetanus and diphtheria but not pertussis, also known as whooping cough), you either need to obtain a Tdap vaccine or complete the relevant attestation within the vaccination reporting form. If you complete the attestation, consider receiving your full Tdap vaccine at UHS once you are on campus.

Last Updated: May 15, 2023

MenACWY, or meningococcal conjugate, protects against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y. A different meningococcal vaccine, meningitis B or meningococcal B, is available that can help protect against serogroup B. If documentation of your meningitis vaccine does not clearly indicate it is MenACWY or meningococcal conjugate, you will not be considered fully vaccinated for meningitis A, C, W, and Y serotypes. Common brand names of the MenACWY vaccine in the US are Menactra, Menveo, and MenQuadfi. Please complete the relevant attestation within the vaccination reporting form and consider receiving your full MenACWY vaccine at UHS once you are on campus.

Last Updated: May 15, 2023

No, you do not need to provide a translated copy. The vaccine verification team has resources available to translate records as needed.

Last Updated: May 2, 2023

Only U-M students living in Michigan Housing on the Ann Arbor campus fall under the policy requirements.

Last Updated: February 20, 2023

Students who have not submitted proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or the other required immunizations may be subject to masking, testing, quarantine, or other disease prevention measures, should there be a public health need. Minimizing infectious disease exposure, spread, and disruption in Michigan Housing is essential to keeping our community safe.

Last Updated: April 5, 2023

If you have been immunized in the state of Michigan, you may be able to download your Immunization Record from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry: https://mdhhsmiimmsportal.state.mi.us/. Those vaccinated at a local pharmacy, such as CVS, Rite Aid or Walgreens, may be able to contact those pharmacies to obtain vaccination records. You can also find out-of-state vaccination records using this resource on the CDC website.

Last Updated: February 7, 2022

No. At this time, the only channel for submitting vaccination and exemption information is via the secure self-reporting forms.

Last Updated: June 14, 2021

Yes. Our community has a high level of vaccination and immunity from previous infection. Additionally, other efforts to combat COVID-19 will continue:

• Get the most up-to-date COVID-19 vaccine recommended by the CDC. You may still report your COVID-19 vaccination to the university if you would like to do so.
• The University Health Service has maintained vital infrastructure to provide prompt evaluation and testing of symptomatic students.
• Our public health response team has the tools and systems in place to identify, monitor and respond to multiple infectious diseases, including through wastewater surveillance, testing and other data sources.

Last Updated: November 1, 2023

UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint strongly encourage, but do not require, that all members of their campus communities are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination.

Last Updated: February 20, 2023

Michigan Medicine employees are strongly encouraged but are not required to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination.

Last Updated: November 1, 2023

Some schools, units, programs or third-party partners will have their own policies in place, such as vaccinations required for travel to certain international destinations or requirements for healthcare or field placements.

Last Updated: April 28, 2023

Individually identifiable information may be shared as required by law, and with university officials, public health officials, and external service providers that support U-M COVID-19 response efforts. When information is shared with service providers, we have contractual agreements to require such service providers to keep your personal information secure and confidential, and do not allow them to use or share personal information for any purpose other than providing services on the university’s behalf. For more information, see the Privacy Policy for COVID-19 Vaccination and Exemption Self-Reporting.

Last Updated: August 4, 2021

• The Health Response Call Center serves the campus community by connecting them to U-M resources and support during the pandemic. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please call 734-936-7000.
• Students with questions regarding vaccination policy compliance, exemptions and postponements, please reach out to vaccinecompliance@umich.edu.
• For vaccine verification or related questions, please email vaccineverification@umich.edu. Note: vaccine submission will not be accepted through this email. Directions on how to submit your vaccination information can be found here.
• For other questions about Michigan Housing, please email housing@umich.edu.
• Employees with COVID-related HR questions, including vaccination policy compliance, exemptions, and postponements, please email: COVID-19HR@umich.edu.
• For questions related to international students, please visit the International Center.
• Policy questions can be sent to healthresponse@umich.edu.

Last Updated: August 1, 2023

Student self-reported vaccination and medical exemption information is not regulated by the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). For students, this information is regulated by FERPA. The University of Michigan takes appropriate measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of student records and personal human resources information.

Last Updated: August 4, 2021

Based on U-M's high vaccination rates and the fact that the State of Michigan is moving from a response phase to a recovery phase in the pandemic, the university is able to reduce the indoor mask requirement. Masks remain an option for anyone seeking additional protection from COVID-19.

Last Updated: February 16, 2023

Well-fitting masks, esp. high filtration N95 and KN95 masks, remain an effective way for an individual to lower their personal risk of acquiring COVID-19.

Last Updated: March 9, 2022

Public health guidance is shifting away from a position that others need to mask to protect others except when conditions in the community are "HIGH." However, individuals may recommend, but may not require, others to wear masks in settings such as one-on-one meetings. Here's some sample language to consider using if you'd like to recommend that another individual wear a mask around you: "I’m choosing to wear a mask as another layer of protection against COVID-19 infection. And while I cannot require you to wear a mask, would you be willing to wear one while in this [meeting.], as well? Of course, this is your choice, and there will be no consequences if you choose not to, but I appreciate your consideration as it would make me feel more comfortable."

Last Updated: March 9, 2022

The university will continue to carefully monitor a number of data points as we move forward with campus plans. There is no one number that would prompt a change. Among these factors are:

• Spread of COVID-19 locally and regionally.
• Capacity of area hospitals.
• Campus isolation capacity.
• Capacity for case investigation and contact tracing.

More details on Campus Response Metric are available here.

Last Updated: August 12, 2021

Yes, UHS offers a full range of immunizations.

Last Updated: February 20, 2023

There are a number of places to find vaccination opportunities. You can use Vaccines.gov to find a location offering the COVID-19 vaccine near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also provides information, by county, on available vaccines and how to make an appointment. Other options include:

• University Health Service
• Occupational Health Services
• Michigan Medicine

Last Updated: February 16, 2023

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adults and children may have some side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine, including pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea. Serious side effects are rare, but may occur. More info is available here. Students, faculty and staff from all three campuses and Michigan Medicine can speak with advisers ready to answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and its safety. Advisers will not offer medical advice or address issues related to human resources or university policy.

• Students: Call University Health Service and ask to speak with a nurse for COVID vaccine information. The phone number is 734-764-8320.
• Employees: Speak with a trained adviser at Occupational Health Services by phone on weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The phone number is 734-764-8021, and callers should select prompt No. 2.

Last Updated: July 11, 2023

Vaccinations are generally covered by health insurance but you should check that the place where you’re getting vaccinated is in network for your insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you should be able to get vaccines for free at your local health department or other locations. UHS, local pharmacies, and other sites offer COVID-19 vaccinations. Vaccines.gov is also a good resource.

Last Updated: May 10, 2023

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines may be administered without regard to timing. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines on the same day, as well as co-administration within 14 days.

Last Updated: February 16, 2023

Last Updated: August 15, 2023

A close contact is defined by CDC as "someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person (laboratory-confirmed or a clinical diagnosis) for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three separate 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). An infected person can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 starting 2 days before they have any symptoms (or, for people without symptoms, 2 days before the positive specimen collection date)."

Last Updated: January 31, 2023

Case investigation is utilized to collect epidemiological data in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  Case investigators team call COVID-19 positive individuals to gather that data.  In addition, case investigators are providing guidance and encouraging individuals to inform their close contacts of exposures and to get tested accordingly.  The teams are currently focused on students and main campus employees to provide education and resources to properly isolate. Referrals to isolation housing are made if necessary.

Last Updated: August 3, 2022

Last Updated: February 2, 2022

Last Updated: May 10, 2022

The CDC advises that the best way to protect against infection is to get vaccinated and avoid being exposed to COVID-19. Here are actions to help prevent the spread of all respiratory viruses:

• Get vaccinated against COVID-19, including any additional recommended boosters.
• Wear a face covering when around others.
• Get tested before attending social activities. Free PCR and rapid antigen tests are available on campus.
• Get tested after close contact exposures, and be sure to wear a mask for a full 10 days.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Last Updated: May 10, 2022

Follow the latest CDC guidance, which is available on their website. Guidance includes masking and testing.

Last Updated: August 15, 2023

Begin masking and isolating while you pursue a COVID-19 test. Learn more about how to get a COVID-19 test. If you test positive, follow care and isolation guidance.

Last Updated: August 15, 2023

Last Updated: August 15, 2023

Last Updated: August 31, 2023

Last Updated: May 27, 2022

Last Updated: August 1, 2023

Last Updated: May 12, 2023

Last Updated: January 24, 2022

Students, faculty and staff on the Ann Arbor campus, including Michigan Medicine, who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days outside of U-M (that is, outside University Health Service) are asked to report their positive test result here. The information collected will be directed to appropriate units for follow up including: University Health Service; Environment, Health & Safety; Occupational Health Services; and/or Infection Prevention & Epidemiology. University or county health officials may reach out for case investigation and contact tracing, and the information gathered will help target resources for testing, support and mitigation.

Last Updated: May 12, 2023

• Costs for COVID-19 medical services shifted to normal rates and requirements, effective May 12, 2023. This means members covered by U-M health plans will pay regular coinsurance or copays for these services, including charges for using out-of-network providers.
• Also effective May 12, over-the-counter rapid antigen COVID-19 tests are not covered by U-M’s prescription drug plan. Members have through May 2024 to submit reimbursement claims to Magellan Rx for eligible, previously purchased test kits.
• COVID-19 treatment drugs Paxlovid and its generics, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, will continue to be covered by the U-M prescription drug plan, with no member cost-share as long as the U.S. government pays for these products. 
• COVID-19 vaccinations will continue to be covered at no cost to members.

Last Updated: May 12, 2023