Update regarding COVID-19 from President Houston Davis to students, faculty, and staff.
As we conclude the final week of September, I want to take the opportunity to share some positive news and provide information regarding booster shots, as I know many of you have questions.
UCA has seen a steady decline in the campus positivity rate among individuals tested at the Student Health Clinic for four consecutive weeks. Among faculty and staff, as of yesterday 80% of our full- and part-time employees have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. These are promising trends that indicate our campus is working together to maintain the health and well-being of our entire population.
On Friday, Sept. 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, issued the following guidance for COVID-19 booster shots:
- CDC recommends that the following groups should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after completing their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series (i.e., the first 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine):
- people aged 65 years and older
- residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings
- people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions
- CDC also recommends that the following groups may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least six months after completing their first two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, based on their individual benefits and risks:
- people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions
- people aged 18–64 years at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting
These CDC recommendations only apply to people who previously received their first two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The Student Health Clinic has determined that higher education employees and students may receive a booster shot due to our occupational/institutional setting.
Employees received an email on Monday, Sept. 27 regarding two upcoming flu vaccination clinics in October that are being organized by BeWell, the Student Health Clinic, Interprofessional Teaching Center, and the School of Nursing. These employee flu shot clinics will also offer the COVID-19 vaccine to employees by reservation (doses 1, 2, or 3). If you would like to receive a COVID vaccine while at the flu clinic, please email ucabewell@uca.edu to reserve an appointment for the Pfizer/Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine.
Beyond these two stand-alone clinics for employees, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available to students, faculty, and staff by making an appointment with the Student Health Clinic.
We will continue monitoring our transmission status through CDC’s Level of Transmission and make weekly updates to campus regarding masking requirements. Our campus has enjoyed athletics, Family Day, Reynolds performances, concerts, movie nights, and many other activities this semester because of the collective efforts of all of you. Thank you for all you are doing to keep our campus safe.