COVID-19 Vaccine Information

There are currently three vaccines that have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA). These include the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, and the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine.

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use genetic material known as messenger RNA (often abbreviated as mRNA) that cells use to make proteins. When the vaccines are injected into the body, the mRNA enters human cells and instructs the cells to make a protein that mimics the spike proteins found on the surface of the coronavirus. These vaccine-induced proteins then stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies to fight the virus. Once produced, the antibodies latch onto the virus spike protein and prevent it from entering your cells and making you sick.

The Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine uses the more traditional virus-based technology. 

Pfizer and Moderna require two doses, given three (Pfizer) to four (Moderna) weeks apart. Johnson & Johnson is one dose.

All three vaccines–Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer–completely prevented hospitalizations and deaths in clinical trials, which is why public health experts are recommending that people get the first vaccine that is available to them.

No serious side effects have been reported with any of the vaccines to date. The safety of these vaccines was determined by independent Data Safety and Monitoring Boards (DSMBs). Safety data will continue to be monitored after the vaccines begin to be used in order to determine longer term safety profiles.

Children younger than 16 years old, pregnant or nursing women, or immunocompromised individuals should consult their health care providers.

Mild to moderate side effects have been reported. These side effects include pain or swelling at the injection site, fatigue, chills, muscle aches, and headaches. Most of these side effects resolved promptly.

No.

The vaccines are currently being distributed to various states. In New York State, all residents ages 16 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine. Faculty, staff and students can check their eligibility by visiting the New York State’s Am I Eligible web tool, or by calling the New York State hotline at 1-833-697-4829.

This has yet to be determined and is currently under study. The main focus of the  vaccine studies was on determining whether the vaccines protected from getting symptomatic COVID-19 (i.e. getting sick with COVID-19).

It has been shown that people can get infected by the coronavirus but not show any symptoms, which is known as asymptomatic infection. These individuals can still transmit the virus to others. Research is under way to determine whether the vaccines will prevent asymptomatic infection and therefore reduce the risk of transmission from someone who has asymptomatic infection to others. Until this is determined, it is critically important for everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves and to continue practicing protective behaviors, including wearing a face covering/mask and physical distancing, to protect themselves and others from catching and transmitting the virus.

The duration of protection from COVID-19 provided by these three vaccines is not known as of yet. Researchers will continue to monitor study participants to determine the duration of protection.

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to be effective. The second dose of the Pfizer vaccine is administered three weeks after the first dose while the second dose of the Moderna vaccine is administered four weeks after the first.

Johnson & Johnson is one single dose.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccine studies found that two doses were needed to optimize the immune response and provide the best protection from COVID-19. Therefore, the 2-dose regimen is strongly recommended and will be necessary for documentation of full vaccination.

No. This was not evaluated and there is no evidence that the vaccines are interchangeable. If you get a first dose of one vaccine, you should get a second dose of the same vaccine. Individuals administering the vaccine will be tracking this issue.

It typically takes a few weeks after the final dose of a vaccine for the body to build up immunity to the disease. However, it is not necessary for one to quarantine between each dose. Individuals are recommended to continue with their daily lives while following COVID-19 public health recommendations.

According to CDC guidance, second doses administered within a grace period of ≤ 4 days from the recommended date for the second dose are considered valid; however, doses administered earlier do not need to be repeated. The second dose should be administered as close to the recommended interval as possible. However, there is no maximum interval between the first and second dose for either vaccine.

Currently, the safety of any vaccine combination has not been determined and therefore the CDC advises against the mixing of COVID-19 vaccines. Research regarding the potential need for a booster injection of a COVID-19 or routine vaccination is underway.

According to the CDC, given the lack of data on the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines administered simultaneously with other vaccines, the vaccine series should routinely be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration with any other vaccine. However, mRNA COVID-19 and other vaccines may be administered within a shorter period in situations where the benefits of vaccination are deemed to outweigh the potential unknown risks of vaccine coadministration (e.g., tetanus toxoid-containing vaccination as part of wound management, rabies vaccination for post-exposure prophylaxis, measles or hepatitis A vaccination during an outbreak) or to avoid barriers or delays to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (e.g., in long-term care facility residents or healthcare personnel who received influenza or other vaccinations prior to/upon admission or onboarding). If mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are administered within 14 days of another vaccine, doses do not need to be repeated for either vaccine.

Yes, health officials believe that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will offer protection against the different variants of the coronavirus. Research is ongoing to further study this issue.

Yes, as per CDC recommendations, vaccination should be offered to persons regardless of history of prior symptomatic or asymptomatic coronavirus infection, including a positive antibody test. For persons who experience lingering symptoms for weeks and months after diagnosis (i.e., “COVID-19 long-haulers”), vaccination is similarly considered safe and likely efficacious.

For persons with current COVID-19, vaccination should be deferred until recovery from acute illness and can be deferred up until 90 days after the current episode.

Per CDC and FDA recommendations, those who have had a severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccines should not be vaccinated. For those who have had a severe allergic reaction to another vaccine or injectable treatment (intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous) the vaccine can still be administered; however, it is recommended that the risks be discussed with a healthcare provider and that the recipient be monitored for 30 minutes post-vaccination. For those with any other allergy (e.g. food, pollen, pets), vaccination should be offered. All individuals who received vaccines should be observed for about 15 minutes after vaccination

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are very similar in composition. They consist of the mRNA particle, water, lipids, salt, sugar, and FDA-approved buffers. A complete list of the ingredients can be found here for Pfizer (page 11) and here for Moderna (page 11).

No, Guillain-Barre is not a contraindication for the vaccines. Individuals with such a history should discuss this with their provider.

Currently, there are no data on the safety or efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination in persons who received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma as part of COVID-19 treatment. Therefore, it is recommended that vaccination be deferred for at least 90 days after receiving such treatment to avoid interference of the treatment with vaccine-induced immune responses.

Persons who have been identified recently as a close contact of someone with COVID-19 should defer vaccination until the quarantine period has ended to avoid exposing healthcare personnel or other persons during vaccination visits.

Currently, there are no data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant or breastfeeding women, though studies to collect these data are ongoing. Per CDC recommendations, pregnant or breastfeeding persons who are part of a group (e.g., healthcare worker) that is recommended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, may choose to be vaccinated due to their increased COVID-19 risk. A discussion with a healthcare provider can help inform this decision.

Additionally, there is no recommendation for routine pregnancy testing before receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine. Those who are trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. A consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended in making this decision.

According to CDC recommendations, the vaccine may be administered to persons with underlying medical conditions who have no contraindications to vaccination. This guidance is based on the studies that have demonstrated similar safety and efficacy profiles in persons with underlying medical conditions compared to those without such conditions.

For those who are immunocompromised, safety and efficacy of the vaccine has yet to be determined given the limited data for these groups. However, immunocompromised persons may still receive COVID-19 vaccines, with counseling, unless otherwise contraindicated given increased risk for COVID-19.

At this point in time, children under 16 years of age are not considered a priority group for early phases of vaccination given their low risk for severe disease. 

Under federal law, manufacturers and distributors of COVID 19 vaccines are entitled to immunity as long as there is no willful misconduct.

We strongly recommend that all individuals, students and employees in international contexts be vaccinated as soon as possible and receive the full dose series for optimal protection. Vaccines authorized by the U.S. FDA or by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be acceptable.

According to the CDC, individuals who received a full series of a vaccine currently authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) do not need any additional doses with an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine.

For individuals who were partially vaccinated with a WHO-authorized vaccine or who were vaccinated with a vaccine not authorized for emergency use by the WHO, a full series of an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine can be administered with a minimal interval of 28-days post vaccination with a non-FDA-authorized vaccine.

It is TC’s intention to follow CDC guidance regarding individuals who may need additional vaccination in order to meet the vaccination mandate for the Fall semester.

Effective August 1, 2021, all new and returning students, staff, faculty, and TC housing affiliates must be fully vaccinated in order to access campus for the fall 2021 semester. All individuals who plan to access campus on or after August 1 must submit proof of vaccination no later than 10 days in advance of the date which they plan to access campus. In accordance with New York State public health laws, the College will accommodate religious and medical exemptions, as we do for other vaccines.

Yes, students or employees taking classes virtually or working remotely are still required to get vaccinated.

We will accept evidence of vaccination that has received authorization by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Yes, vaccinations will be available to anyone who has been unable to get vaccinated internationally. Vaccination must be obtained at the earliest opportunity upon arrival in the United States. Students and staff must time their arrival so that they are fully vaccinated at least 10 days prior to the start of the semester.

No. Try to get vaccinated as soon as possible in your home country in order to protect you, your family and community from COVID-19.

We strongly urge you to get vaccinated as soon as possible, as there may be additional requirements you have to meet if you arrive on campus unvaccinated.

Students, faculty, and staff, are expected to complete the vaccination requirement at least 10 days prior to their return to campus, and will be restricted from accessing campus if they have not complied with the requirement.  But this process must be timed and scheduled. We will assist international students in this situation so that they can access TC residences immediately, but will be required to comply with additional precautions (such as weekly  testing) until they are fully vaccinated.

TC has a process for requesting medical or religious exemptions as well as exemptions based on pregnancy status or if you are currently breastfeeding. See Religious & Medical Exemptions and Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Exemptions.

Yes, you will be able to register for classes prior to vaccination.  However you will not be able to attend in-person classes if you are not fully vaccinated at least 10 days prior to the start of the Fall semester.

You will not know who is and who is not vaccinated; however, students will not be allowed on campus unless they have met the vaccine requirement or have received a religious or medical exemption.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has advised that employers may require COVID-19 vaccinations, provided that we offer exemptions to individuals with (i) disabilities that prevent COVID-19 vaccination and (ii) sincerely held religious beliefs that prevent COVID-19 vaccination. Employers may also request that an employee provide proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination to ensure that employees have received the vaccine.

The EEOC guidance takes into account the fact that COVID-19 vaccines are currently subject to Emergency Use Authorization.  Some COVID-19 vaccines may only be available to the public for the foreseeable future under Emergency Use Authorization granted by the Food and Drug Administration.  The FDA requires vaccine providers to give each individual receiving the vaccine the information contained in the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers.  Teachers College complies with these obligations. 

The HIPAA privacy rule is not implicated in our process. Teachers College will follow best practices and comply with applicable laws in maintaining privacy and security with respect to vaccination status.

If you are an international student, contact the Office of International Students and Scholars at  tcintl@tc.columbia.edu. They will be able to review options for your enrollment and visa status for the Fall semester.

Please contact CovidStudentCare@tc.columbia.edu with any other questions you may have about the vaccine mandate.