COVID-19
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis is closely monitoring developments related to the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Returning to Campus for Fall 2021
As we approach the start of the new academic year, we continue to assess the impacts of COVID-19 as they relate to the ongoing safety of our faculty, staff and students.
Our current plan is to return for another semester of on-campus learning and living for the fall 2021 semester, and as we make our plans for a return to campus, we continue to monitor new information and recommendations from local, regional and national agencies to inform our ongoing contingency planning.
Update on St. Louis City and County Mask Mandate
St. Louis City and County government officials have announced that effective Monday, July 26, 2021, all individuals age five and older in St. Louis City and County must wear a face mask in indoor public places and on public transportation regardless of vaccination status.
With this new mandate, the University will again require all members of the campus community to wear a face mask while on campus, regardless of their vaccination status, starting Monday, July 26. As we reinstate our mask requirement, we will follow our previously outlined face covering protocol.
At this time, the University is resuming only its mask wearing requirement. Daily health and temperature screenings, use of physical barriers and 6-foot physical distancing measures are not returning at this time. However, the University will continue to monitor St. Louis City and County ordinances and update our safety measures as required.
As always, please refrain from coming to campus if you are ill or experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, or other symptoms as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Policy
While our efforts to mitigate COVID-19 and maintain the health and safety of our campus community were largely successful last academic year, we were met with significant challenges, and we are working to ensure we are well prepared for the challenges that may lie ahead this semester.
With Missouri seeing an uptick in COVID-19 infections, particularly in the southwest region of the state, and variants of COVID-19 continuing to spread in our region, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all students, staff and faculty beginning in fall 2021.
Faculty and staff have received e-mail communications about the process of providing vaccine records, or applying for a religious or medical vaccine exemption from the Office of Human Resources. Students will receive similar e-mail communications from the Office of Student Affairs soon.
Those that apply for and receive medical or religious exemptions will be asked to follow social distancing requirements and face mask and testing protocols as necessary based on emerging guidance from local, regional and national agencies.
Students with specific questions or concerns about the updated vaccine policy may contact Carlin Harp, emergency management coordinator at carlin.harp@uhsp.edu. Faculty and staff with questions or concerns may contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@uhsp.edu.
Vaccine Policy FAQs
We are providing an opportunity for our community members to request an exemption for medical or religious reasons using the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines:
- Medical Exemption: CDC guidelines regarding medical reasons indicating that one cannot be vaccinated (i.e., medical contraindications) will serve as the basis for our policy. If you are seeking a medical exemption, as is required for existing vaccine exemptions, you will need to include a letter from your primary licensed health care provider detailing your need for medical exemption in your request. Prior COVID-19 infection does not qualify as a medical exemption.
- Religious Exemption: A sincerely held religious belief is one that is either part of a traditional, organized religion such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, as well as non-theistic moral or ethical beliefs as to what is right and wrong, which are sincerely held with the strength of traditional religious views. Social, political or personal preferences do not qualify as religious beliefs. You will be expected to provide information regarding your religious beliefs to qualify for an exemption. This may include a description of your religion or belief system, its stance on vaccinations and information on whether you have received other vaccinations.
Prior infection doesn’t qualify as a valid medical exemption. Click here for more information.
Positive antibody tests or negative COVID-19 test results do not qualify as valid medical exemptions. Click here for more information.
We encourage you to click here to learn more from the CDC about vaccine safety and efficacy.
Daily Health Screening
Visitors will be required to complete daily health screenings. Prior to coming to campus, complete your screening using the online self-assessment tool.
Complete the Campus Visitor Health Screening
Campus Updates and Announcements
The University’s leadership team is monitoring reports and recommendations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and will issue communication to the campus community as needed.
- July 23, 2021: Statement to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Community
- July 15, 2021: Statement to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Community
- July 8, 2021: Statement to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Community
- May 21, 2021: Statement to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Community
- Jan. 5, 2021: Important Information Regarding the Start of the Spring Semester from President John A. Pieper
- Nov. 23, 2020: Important Information Regarding COVID-19 Testing from President John A. Pieper
- Oct. 22, 2020: Campus and COVID-19 Updates from President John A. Pieper
- Sept. 10, 2020: Student Reminders Regarding Health and Safety Requirements from President John A. Pieper
- July 31, 2020: Updates and Reminders for the Fall Semester from President John A. Pieper
- July 24, 2020: Message to Students from President John A. Pieper
- June 1, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
- May 26, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
- May 18, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
- May 11, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
- April 13, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
- March 20, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
- March 16, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
- March 12, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
- March 11, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
- March 3, 2020: Message to the Campus Community from President John A. Pieper
Students, faculty and staff should monitor their University email accounts for additional information on specific topics.
Local Information
Up-to-date information for the State of Missouri and city of St. Louis can be found online via:
- City of St. Louis Department of Health: COVID-19 Coronavirus Information
- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
The University will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and communicate additional response actions to the campus community as needed.
Learn More
For questions about the University’s response or for more information, contact Carlin Harp, emergency management coordinator, at carlin.harp@uhsp.edu or 314.446.8133.
You can also enroll in the University's opt-in Emergency Notification System to receive text alerts on multiple devices and register secondary email addresses for notifications.
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