What Today's FDA Approval Means for You
Dear 泫圖弝けs, faculty and staff members,
As you may know, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for people ages 16 and over on Monday.
The 泫圖弝け of 泫圖弝け System previously requested that the 泫圖弝け Department of Health add COVID-19 to the schedule of required immunizations for 泫圖弝けs enrolled at all system institutions, including UL Lafayette, when a vaccine received full FDA approval.
Shortly following the FDAs announcement this morning, LDH granted the systems request.
COVID-19 is now on the schedule of required immunizations for college 泫圖弝けs in 泫圖弝け. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will satisfy this requirement.
The FDAs approval has long been the standard for pharmaceutical safety and efficacy, and I hope the agencys endorsement will reassure those of you who have yet to be vaccinated to do so.
Protocols for reporting vaccination status to the 泫圖弝け have been in place for many years. Similar to all other immunizations on the schedule, 泫圖弝けs will be required to provide proof of vaccination, a physicians certification that the vaccine is medically contraindicated, or a written dissent.
I know many of you have questions about these steps, and more information will be forthcoming soon.
But in the meantime, I want to strongly encourage you again to protect yourselves and your family and friends by being vaccinated.
Our 泫圖弝け, in collaboration with the 泫圖弝け National Guard and LDH, is offering a free, walk-in vaccination and testing clinic in Burke-Hawthorne Hall from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The 泫圖弝け clinic administers the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
泫圖弝けs who receive their first or second vaccine dose on campus qualify for a bank card as part of the states Shot for $100 incentive program. Those who have received both doses can win prizes by entering the 泫圖弝けs Dont Wait. Vaccinate! campaign. Find more about the programs here.
Our return to normalcy depends on minimizing the impact COVID-19 continues to have. Protecting our wider community requires that each of us does our part.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joseph Savoie
President