New COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Postdocs
Required Action Items
- Receive the final dose of a WHO- or CDC-approved vaccine by December 21, 2021.
- All postdocs must be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022, meaning you must have received the final dose of the series by December 21, 2021.
- If you intend to request an exemption, you must do so by November 12, 2021.
- Upload your vaccination status to Health Check.
- Create an account with Color.
- Use your SUNETID@stanford.edu email address.
- Do not use a non-Stanford email address.
- Do not use a Stanford alias.
- Use your SUNETID@stanford.edu email address.
New Requirements FAQs
What happens if I am a continuing postdoc and am not fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022?
You will not be eligible to work or be paid and will be placed in an unpaid status for a 30-day period. Those who are not compliant with the vaccination requirement or have not been approved for an accommodation by the end of the 30-day period will be separated from Stanford.
What happens after January 4, 2022, if I arrive to begin an appointment without being fully vaccinated?
You will not be able to begin your appointment, nor will you be paid.
I have a medical/religious exemption from my home country. Will Stanford honor that exemption?
No. You must apply through Stanford for a medical or religious exemption.
Anyone who has not uploaded verification of full vaccination or who does not have an approved disability or religious accommodation by January 4, 2022, will not be eligible to work or be paid and will be placed in an unpaid status for a 30-day period. Those who are not compliant with the vaccination requirement or have not been approved for an accommodation by the end of the 30-day period will be separated from Stanford.
Copy of email sent 8 November 2021
SUBJECT: Vaccine requirements for all Stanford postdocs
To: All incoming postdoctoral scholars and their faculty sponsors
From: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Re: All postdoctoral scholars must be fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022
We are writing with updated information about the vaccine requirements for all Stanford postdocs. In compliance with President Biden’s executive order, all postdoctoral scholars are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and upload proof of their vaccination status on Health Check by January 4, 2022, unless they have a medical or religious accommodation.
You will not be able to begin working at Stanford if you are not fully vaccinated with a WHO- or CDC-recognized vaccine by January 4, 2021. Your appointment start date should be delayed until you are vaccinated with the appropriate vaccine and have waited the appropriate time after the last dose. This requirement is only for the initial series, not the booster vaccine. If you intend to request a medical or religious exemption, please do so well ahead of your start date. Please note that exemptions granted elsewhere may not be recognized.
If you arrive without being vaccinated, you will have to get vaccinated immediately. If you are not able to comply by January 4, your appointment start date will be delayed until the vaccine series and waiting period are complete, or you will be required to take unpaid leave for up to 30 days. At the end of that period, if no further action has been taken on your part, your affiliation with Stanford will end.
Regardless of your vaccination status, if you are traveling from an international location, you must follow the current testing protocol before you may have unrestricted access to campus.
Please take the earliest opportunity to log in to Health Check and upload your vaccination documentation. Health Check also reflects all Stanford-accessed testing through Color, and is the mechanism through which to report any symptoms you may experience.
The Health Alerts page contains the most updated COVID-related information, and we recommend that you bookmark the page as policies may change. We encourage you to also explore our website to discover the opportunities and support available for postdocs on campus. OPA also provides information regarding action items you need to complete related to the vaccine.
On behalf of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs,
Sofie R Kleppner, PhD
Associate Vice Provost & Associate Dean
Kevin Heller-Antrim, EdD
Associate Director, Operations
General FAQs
Can postdocs work remotely?
New postdocs must be in residence at the beginning of their appointment per university policy: “...a Stanford postdoctoral scholar is a non-matriculated trainee, in graduate student status, in residence at Stanford University pursuing advanced studies beyond the doctoral level in preparation for an independent career.” See RPH 10.3 Postdoctoral Scholars for further information. Continuing postdocs may only work remotely under specific conditions. Please contact OPA before processing any remote appointment or payline.
What do I do if have COVID-19 or think I might?
Follow the instructions here: https://healthalerts.stanford.edu/covid-19-information-and-resources/covid-19-prevention/
What is Health Check?
You can review Health Check here: https://healthcheck.stanford.edu/en/
How can I practice social distancing when I have roommates?
The CDC provides guidance here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/shared-housing/index.html
What about childcare?
Information about childcare is available at the WorkLife link: https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards/worklife/children-family
How do I get vaccinated?
Review the links here: https://healthalerts.stanford.edu/covid-19/prevention-care/vaccine-information/
What is current policy?
https://healthalerts.stanford.edu/covid-19/prevention-care/vaccine-information/. The VPGE-specific page is here: https://healthalerts.stanford.edu/covid-19/faq/
Page last updated: 8 November 2021
