University’s message on the start of the fall semester and PSOM community

08/31/21

Dear Colleagues,

Last week’s message from the University on the start of the fall semester included important information to ensure our continued safe return to campus, and I write to highlight some key areas for our School of Medicine community.

Vaccination:

All members of the Penn community, except for those with medical or religious exemptions, must be fully vaccinated and have uploaded vaccination status to Workday by October 15, 2021.  An individual is considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after the second dose of a two dose vaccine (Moderna and Pfizer) or two weeks after the single dose (Johnson & Johnson).   

To meet the October 15 deadline of being fully vaccinated, the following schedule must be met:

Vaccine

First dose by

Second dose by

Moderna (two dose; 28 days between doses)

September 3

October 1

Pfizer (two dose; 21 days between doses)

September 10

October 1

Johnson & Johnson (one dose)

October 1

 

Testing:

In addition to gateway and screening testing as outlined in the University message, please see the below document which highlights testing options and locations on campus and in the City, as well as additional resources.

PennOpen Pass:

For all members of the Penn community, enrollment in PennOpen Pass (POP), our daily symptom tracker designed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, is required, effective immediately.  As a reminder, POP is required for entry to our clinical facilities (including Smilow, which connects directly to patient-care spaces).

Town Hall:

Lastly, Penn Medicine is hosting a virtual COVID-19 town hall, “Taking Certain Care in Uncertain Times,” tomorrow, Wednesday, September 1, at 4pm.  Moderated by Susan Weiss, PhD, and featuring Patrick J. Brennan, MD, Susan E. Coffin, MD, MPH, Jeffrey S. Morris, PhD, Onyeka Nwankwo, MD, Paul A. Offit, MD, and E. John Wherry, PhD, this esteemed panel will discuss vaccine approvals, booster doses, emerging variants, and other questions.  Registration is now open, and I hope you can join.

As the town hall will discuss, we continue to navigate in uncertain times, and I am immensely proud of all your efforts to address and adapt to the changing situations – always with the safety and well-being of our community at heart.  Thank you for the thoughtfulness, compassion, and resilience you continue to display each day. 

Best wishes as we enter a new academic year,

Jon

COVID-19 testing options flyer