COVID-19 Vaccine
All Indiana University (including IUPUI) students, faculty and staff must attest to being fully vaccinated or have an approved exemption. This is part of IU’s ongoing successful response to and management of the COVID-19 pandemic on its campuses.
A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after having all doses of a vaccine (2 doses for Pfizer, Moderna; 1 dose for Johnson & Johnson).
If you have questions about receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, exemptions or know you won't be fully vaccinated before returning to campus, just let us know. Please feel free to reach out to vaxreq@iu.edu or 812-855-4848.
Have your COVID-19 vaccine, booster or need an exemption?
Complete our self-report form to let us know you're fully vaccinated, have had a booster or request an exemption.
How to attest to being vaccinated
All current students, faculty and staff will use IU’s COVID-19 vaccine report form to attest that they are vaccinated and report all doses of your vaccine. Incoming students should plan to complete the self-report form once they have created their IU email account.
How to voluntarily report your COVID-19 booster
All current students, faculty and staff may voluntarily report their COVID-19 booster to IU using the COVID-19 vaccine report form.
If you're arriving from an international location
Students, scholars, faculty and staff arriving from an international location may not have access to a COVID-19 vaccine in their current location and may not be able to be fully vaccinated before arriving on campus.
Individuals in this situation should plan to receive a COVID-19 vaccine upon their arrival in the U.S. They can continue to participate in orientation, classes and other activities as they work toward becoming fully vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the FDA and recommended by the World Health Organization will meet IU's requirement. If you've already received a vaccine that is not one authorized/recommended by either of these organizations, you’ll need to receive one that is. There are no known safety issues at this time with receiving an FDA-authorized vaccine after receiving one that has not yet been authorized/recommended.
Exemption request process
Approved exemptions include:
- Religious exemptions.
- Medical exemptions with documentation from your provider of an allergy to the COVID-19 vaccines or their components.
- Medical deferrals for the following circumstances with a note from your provider:
- Active pregnancy or active breastfeeding only if the provider is requesting an exemption. The exemption lasts only until you're no longer actively pregnant or actively breastfeeding. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not contraindications for vaccination.
- Immunocompromised individuals only with provider request for an exemption and only for those who have recent (within the past 3-6 months) hematopoietic or solid organ transplant, or on active treatment with Rituximab within the past 3-6 months.
- Have received COVID-specific monoclonal antibodies in the past 90 days.
- An online program exemption for students who are in a 100% online program with no on-campus component. This must be an online program; not simply taking all online classes.
You can request an exemption using the online request form. IU’s COVID-19 and medical leaders, among other designated IU leaders, will promptly review exemption requests, responding within five business days.
COVID-19 vaccines are:
Safe. The currently FDA-authorized and WHO-recommended COVID-19 vaccines were developed using the normal scientific process for vaccine development. There were no short cuts or relaxing of standards. The vaccines were tested by all three phases of scientifically rigorous clinical trials , which showed no major safety concerns. In addition, the CDC has collected data from more than 2 million people outside of the trials that have shown no major safety issues with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
Effective. Research shows that all currently authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at preventing COVID-19, especially severe disease.
Free. There is no cost for the COVID-19 vaccine no matter where you receive it.
IU’s COVID-19 vaccine policy
Learn about the policy, attesting to being vaccinated and more.
Vaccine eligibility
Everyone age 6 months and over is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. Pfizer is currently the only one authorized for those age 5-17.
Scheduling your vaccine appointment
The COVID-19 vaccine is available at locations in all counties in Indiana, including dedicated vaccine clinics, pharmacies and other retail locations. There are vaccine locations near or on many IU campuses.
To schedule an appointment in Indiana, visit ourshot.in.gov, select the county you want to schedule in and then select your preferred vaccine site.
Outside of Indiana, use vaccinefinder.org to search for vaccine clinic sites across the country.
What to expect when getting your vaccine
Getting your COVID-19 vaccine will be much like getting any other vaccine. You should wear short sleeves or a shirt with sleeves that can easily be rolled up to your upper arm.
You’ll receive the injection in your upper arm. Before you leave the vaccine site, you’ll be given the appointment date and time for your second dose, depending on which vaccine you get. It is ideal to return to the same location for your second dose.
In the 24-48 hours after receiving your vaccine, your arm may feel sore. Other potential side effects will likely be mild and may include fever, fatigue, muscle or joint pain, or headache. People who get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine most often feel a greater immune response after their second dose.
If you feel any of the above side effects, this simply means your body is building protection against COVID-19. It’s a good thing!
If you develop symptoms more than 48 hours after receiving the vaccine or they last for more than 24 hours, they could be unrelated to the vaccine. Stay home and contact your doctor.