Emma Pinezich is a news reporter for the Vermont Cynic, where a version of this article was first published.
A Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine clinic scheduled for Sunday at the University of Vermont is well on its way to being fully subscribed.
The clinic, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Patrick Gymnasium, is open to students and members of the public interested in receiving the vaccine, which was made available again earlier this week after a 10-day pause.
Gary Derr, vice president for operations and public safety, said the clinic plans to administer 600 doses of the one-shot vaccine. As of Friday afternoon, only about 25 appointments were still available.
An email from Derr said students should first register with the Vermont Department of Health and then schedule an appointment at the gym. Sign-ups opened at 8 a.m. Thursday.
The university is hosting the clinic in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health and Walgreens Pharmacy.
Derr said the university was not certain how many of the 600 doses would be allocated to students but that they were notified before the general public.
Other campuses around the state will also host vaccination clinics next week: Middlebury and Bennington colleges, May 4; St. Michael’s College, May 6; Northern Vermont University-Lyndon, May 7; and Castleton University, May 8. Those interested in receiving shots at those locations are asked to check the school websites for details.
In addition to announcing Sunday’s vaccination clinic, UVM also said it has changed its guest policy for on-campus students.
“Students in traditional-style rooms can have one guest per occupant of the room, and everyone must wear masks,” Derr said in an email to the university community. “Students in suite-style rooms, defined as spaces with a shared common room, can have two guests per suite (not per resident). Everyone must wear masks.”
Guests must be current students living on campus, Derr said.
For off-campus students, fully vaccinated individuals and households are now able to gather with other vaccinated individuals and households, the email said.
Fully vaccinated is defined as 14 days since a person’s final vaccine dose.
Unvaccinated households may get together with one other unvaccinated household and as many vaccinated individuals and households as they wish, the university said.
While face masks are required for on-campus students, they are not required for off-campus students with the change in guest policy.
“Facial coverings/masks are not required but are strongly encouraged, and you should remain 6 feet apart,” Derr said.
In looking ahead to the May 20-21 graduation ceremonies announced by the university earlier this week, Derr said students who test positive or develop symptoms of Covid-19 on or after May 9 would not be able to attend in-person commencement.
“We are still seeing COVID-19 cases on and off campus, so diligence in following our public health principles is critical,” he said. “Now is the time to be extra cautious!”
