To the Case Western Reserve Community:
Just over two months ago we announced our aspirations for a Fall 2021 semester far closer to its pre-pandemic predecessors than last year’s restriction-filled experience.
The most important step toward realizing that goal? Achieving a campus vaccination rate high enough to safely lift most of those COVID-19-driven constraints.
Since then, we have certainly moved closer to that goal. From early March through last week, our university vaccination site has administered 12,525 doses to Northeast Ohio residents—including members of our own community.
Data from those completing our daily health attestation form show partial or full vaccinations approaching 90 percent; unfortunately, this attestation group accounts for less than a fifth of our full campus population.
To make responsible decisions about health and safety protocols for the fall semester, we must have a more accurate picture of vaccination rates among faculty, staff, and students. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of key [U]Tech and University Health Services (UHS) staff, we now have a better way to capture that information—with your help.
Working in collaboration with our campus health record vendor, we have added a vaccine verification option. The online module allows users to enter the dates of their doses and upload pictures of their vaccination cards.
In addition to providing the university with information critical to assessing appropriate campus protocols, the module means participants can store a copy of their card—which also may be able to serve as an official vaccination record for travel.
This afternoon, our undergraduates will be invited to begin uploading their vaccination information, with graduate and professional students receiving similar communications later this week. Faculty and staff will get their links to log on early next week. In all cases, we will provide illustrated, step-by-step instructions, as well as options to secure individual assistance if needed.
As previously noted, we continue to evaluate the need to require proof of vaccination for people to live, study or work on campus. For now, we strongly encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. Those who have not yet received full dosage can visit case.edu/vaccine to learn more about on-campus options, Ohio’s Get the Shot website to schedule appointments at the Wolstein Center, or the state's vaccine provider page to get contact information for all providers offering vaccines in the state.
We thank you in advance for your assistance in helping us learn more about the extent of vaccinations across our campus community. As we learn more about those rates, we will update you regarding that information, as well as our ongoing policy considerations.
Scott Cowen
Interim President
Ben Vinson III
Provost and Executive Vice President