COVID 19 Vaccination Update

October 5, 2022

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Thank you for continuing to diligently take care of yourself, colleagues, classmates, and friends this fall as we manage COVID-19 in our community. While we continue to monitor reported positive cases, we are grateful that this fall we have heard more reports of less severe flu-like or milder symptoms. Currently, there are five student cases and zero employees report having COVID-19 at this time. Given that this is also flu and cold season, please remember to take a COVID test should you begin to feel symptoms to be sure you know whether you have COVID.

Trinity College is currently not requiring the bivalent booster. We highly recommend that you seek the booster for additional protection. We are working to schedule a COVID-19 clinic on campus this semester, but please know that the timing is dependent on available supplies. The CDC recommends eligible individuals receive the COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine, which is based on the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants. Most individuals are recommended to receive a bivalent vaccine two months after their most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose or three months following being diagnosed with COVID-19. If you feel you would like the booster sooner, local pharmacies should have more availability for the Moderna and Pfizer boosters.

As a reminder, the Health Center is open to students for COVID testing and appointments Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Students should call (860) 297-2018 to consult or to schedule an appointment. Students who test positive after hours or on weekends should notify the Health Center by email at [email protected].

Employees who develop symptoms should take a rapid test at home. Positive results need to be reported to Kate Durante in Human Resources at [email protected], who will consult on proper protocols including quarantining. Employees also must advise their managers, per the usual process, if they are not able to work due to illness.

Finally, as a reminder, masks are required in indoor instructional spaces. Please read our masking policy. It is important that you carry a mask with you at all times.

Sincerely,

Joe DiChristina, Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment Management

Dan Hitchell, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer