Updated August 2023
Having taken into consideration the changing public health landscape around COVID-19, including the end of the national public health emergency declarations, the community college presidents ended enforcement of the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Policy. As of May 8 at 11:59 pm, employees and students are no longer required to be up to date with vaccination against the COVID-19 virus or provide proof of vaccination as a condition of entry, participation, or enrollment.*
*NOTE: Certain groups of students and employees may continue to have COVID-19 vaccination requirements as a condition of their external placements as some selective health programs may continue to require COVID-19 vaccination and/or boosters as part of their clinical placement requirements. Employees may direct any questions to their immediate supervisor or Human Resources. Students should reach out to the Dean of Students at studentservices@mwcc.mass.edu with any questions.
Read the full statement of the 15 MA Community College Presidents here (PDF)
- While the COVID-19 vaccination requirement has been discontinued, the community colleges are continually monitoring health guidance and data including community metrics and will continue to make local decisions to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19.
- Although COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer required, the community colleges strongly encourage all members of our communities to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Students and employees are strongly encouraged to visit the CDC’s website for the most accurate, up-to-date information pertaining to COVID-19 and how to protect one’s self and others, as well as the Massachusett’s COVID-19 update.
If you contract COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19:
Any student or employee who learns they have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or tests positive for COVID-19 should follow the guidance found at the CDC’s website for the most accurate, up-to-date information pertaining to the COVID-19 virus and how to protect one’s self and others, and observe the appropriate guidance for isolation and returning to in-person activity, including practicing good personal hygiene as a way of staying healthy.
As always, we also ask that students and employees refrain from coming to the College and instead notify the appropriate faculty or supervisor about staying at home if not feeling well. A limited number of COVID-19 test kits are available in Student Services at no cost until the supply is exhausted.
General FAQs
Download General FAQ (8/31/23) (PDF)
Do I have to be vaccinated if I am employed by Mount Wachusett Community College?
No.* The Vaccination Requirement Policy was discontinued as of 11:59 p.m. on May 8, 2023. The College does, however, strongly encourage all full and part-time employees as well as contract and/or hourly employees, interns, and volunteers regardless of whether work assignments are online or in-person and any consultants, vendors or business/governmental invitees that have a regular presence on campus and/or routinely interact with students and/or employees, to be current with vaccination against COVID-19.
*Please note: Certain groups of students and employees may continue to have COVID-19 vaccination requirements as a condition of their clinical or external placements.
If I received an exemption and/or reasonable accommodation related to certain COVID-19 vaccination requirements for activities in one semester, do I still need to request a reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Employee Vaccination Policy?
No.* As of 11:59 p.m. on May 8, 2023, the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Policy is no longer being enforced. HOWEVER, *Please note: Certain groups of students and employees may continue to have COVID-19 vaccination requirements as a condition of their clinical or external placements. To the extent you have been granted any form of exemption and/or reasonable accommodation pertaining to any aspect of such clinical or external requirement, you must renew said exemption and/or reasonable accommodation each semester.
Will my vaccination and/or accommodation request record be treated confidentially?
Yes. Requests for accommodation and/or any associated vaccination records will be treated in the same confidential manner as other employee or student records and will be stored with the other such medical records.
What alternatives are available to me if I am unvaccinated but still subject to a COVID-19 vaccination requirement as a condition of my clinical or external placement?
Employees or students still subject to a COVID-19 vaccination requirement as a condition of clinical or external placement who are unable to be vaccinated may request a reasonable accommodation where the College will engage in an interactive process to determine if eligible for a reasonable accommodation, and if so, whether the requested accommodation is reasonable and does not create an undue hardship to the College or direct threat to the health or safety of others in the learning and working environment, if applicable.
In the event a reasonable accommodation is approved, the student or employee may be subject to additional health and safety protocols and/or be excluded from campus and/or college activities including but not limited to travel for the protection of health or safety, as determined by the College in consideration of local, state, and/or or federal laws and public health guidance and/or policy and/or mandates.
If I am unable to be fully vaccinated but still subject to a COVID-19 vaccination requirement as a condition of my clinical or external placement, how do I apply for a reasonable accommodation?
Requests for reasonable accommodation, including requests for a medical or religious exemption, will be considered consistent with applicable laws, legal guidance, and College policy. Reasonable accommodation requests should be submitted to vaccineaccommodations@mwcc.mass.edu.
Please note that the individualized interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations is estimated to take a minimum of ten (10) business days following the receipt of satisfactory documentation supporting the employee’s eligibility for reasonable accommodation.
What do I do if I contract COVID-19?
Any person who learns they have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or tests positive for COVID-19 should follow the guidance found at the CDC’s website for the most accurate, up-to-date information pertaining to the COVID-19 virus and how to protect one’s self and others. Please observe the appropriate guidance for isolation and returning to in-person activity, including practicing good personal hygiene as a way of staying healthy. As always, we also ask that individuals refrain from coming to work and instead stay home if not feeling well, especially in cases associated with exposure to a contagious disease and the person’s presence at the College would jeopardize the health of others. A limited number of COVID test kits are available at Student Services at no cost until the supply is exhausted.
How do I get vaccinated?
Additional resources for accessing a COVID-19 vaccine include:
Vaccine.gov
COVID-19 Mobile Vaccine Program
Additional Vaccine Resources