On Aug. 9, Northeastern Illinois University President Gloria J. Gibson issued a statement announcing that all Northeastern employees and students who will be on campus in the fall are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the 2021-2022 academic year. Those who are unable to get vaccinated will be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing on campus. The University will also continue to require face masks to be worn indoors and in outdoor spaces if social distancing cannot be maintained. Masks are not required to be worn when alone in a private office, personal residence hall room or when dining in a designated eating area.
This new requirement was based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Board of Higher Education, as COVID-19 cases are again on the rise throughout Chicago and across the country.
“I encourage everyone in the NEIU community to get vaccinated, if they are able,” Gibson said. “If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, you are strongly encouraged to speak to your primary care provider.”
Guidelines for submitting proof of vaccination are now available for students and employees.
Those who are not yet vaccinated can receive a COVID-19 vaccination on the Main Campus from Heartland Health Centers through Aug. 16. Jewel-Osco Pharmacy will also hold pop-up vaccine clinics on the Main Campus in the College of Business and Technology building (3601 N. Bryn Mawr Ave., east side of parking Lot A) on Aug. 18 and 20. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Walk-ins will be accommodated if appointments are available.
Thus far, Heartland Health Centers has been able to administer over 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines at Northeastern.
“We would not have been able to administer anywhere near the number of vaccines we were able to provide to the community without the use of Northeastern’s facilities,” said Emily Rivera, Senior Manager of Heartland Health Centers School Based Health Centers. “We are tremendously grateful for the partnership of NEIU over the past 16 months and hope this partnership will continue.”
Additional resources for COVID-19 testing and vaccination can be found at neiu.edu/coronavirus.
