Campus & Community

All Individuals 16 and Older Eligible to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination Beginning April 6

Monday, March 29, 2021, By News Staff

Dear Students and Families:

We are writing to share some very positive news from the New York State Department of Health. Beginning Tuesday, April 6, all individuals age 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

We have not yet received word from the state regarding our request to provide vaccinations on campus. Until the University is designated a vaccination site, we strongly encourage all students living in Central New York (on and off campus) to make an appointment at Onondaga County’s (OnCenter) or New York State’s (fairgrounds) vaccination sites. This message provides important details related to:

  1. How to sign up for a vaccine appointment beginning April 6
  2. How to add your name to a waitlist of appointments to access excess vaccine dosages
  3. How to submit proof of your vaccination

How to Make a Vaccine Appointment

For students who are interested in scheduling an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine, please follow these simple steps:

  • Make an appointment: Starting Tuesday, April 6, you can make an appointment by visiting the New York State COVID-19 vaccine website or the Onondaga County COVID-19 vaccine website. Once there, you will be prompted to identify an available time that works for you.
  • Complete the two forms provided in your confirmation email: After you schedule your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email. This email will contain links to two forms: 1) a screening and consent form that will need to be printed and completed and 2) a form attesting to your eligibility status. The attestation form will provide a “Submission ID,” which you can show on your phone when you arrive at the vaccine clinic.
  • Provide proof of eligibility upon arrival: Please bring with you your SU I.D. card and your driver’s license or government-issued identification card or passport. You will also need to bring some evidence of a local address (i.e., a piece of mail, school record or a current rent receipt or lease).
  • Bring your insurance card: You will be asked for insurance information, but the vaccine is free and there will never be a charge to you. This information is for administrative use only. You do not need to have insurance to get the vaccine.

Please note: The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines both require a second dose, which will be scheduled during your appointment for the first dose. The Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires only one dose.

Important reminder: Many of our students are likely eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination right now due to other eligibility categories, such as preexisting conditions. Please review all other eligibility categories to determine if you can schedule your appointment ahead of the April 6 vaccination expansion.

How to Register for Excess Vaccine Dosages

As vaccine supply increases and ahead of April 6 (the date when everyone 16 and older becomes eligible), Onondaga County occasionally has extra doses available during their clinic days. For that reason, the county has created a waitlist for individuals to sign up to be notified on short notice, if/when extra vaccine is available.

  • Those who sign up on the waitlist will receive an email notifying them of extra doses and allowing them to register for an appointment.
  • If you are interested in being included on the county’s vaccine waitlist, visit the county’s Extra Dose Vaccine Waiting List page.

Submitting Proof of Your Vaccination

For those students who have already received the COVID vaccine, we ask that you please submit your documentation through the Student Patient Portal. Doing so may eventually allow you to forego testing standards as a requirement for entry into certain venues and participation in certain events. For example, beginning April 1, New York State will exempt vaccinated individuals from pre-event testing requirements otherwise required to enter large sports and performance venues across the state (including our stadium).

Vaccination is the best protection against the spread of COVID-19. A widely vaccinated community safeguards the health, wellness and safety of our students, faculty and staff, and helps our University return to more normal operations.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation with our proactive efforts to support the health and safety of our campus and Central New York community.

Sincerely,

Syracuse University Public Health Team