COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and Information

[En español: ¡Póngase la vacuna Oregón central!]

(pictured: Prit, COCC student; Audrey, COCC student with Michele Decker, COCC Nursing Faculty; Cady-Mae Koon, COCC College Now Liaison)

COCC's COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Last updated: March 4, 2022

COCC requires full COVID-19 vaccination and boosters of all students and faculty for the 2021/2022 academic year in the following areas:

All Instructional programs where students' successful program completion is dependent upon their: 
a. Participation in (and/or instruction in) clinical or practicum hours at off-campus or on-campus locations, and/or 
b. Close contact with actual patients/clients.

These programs include: Addiction Studies, Dental Assisting, Early Childhood Education, Licensed Massage Therapist, Medical Assistant, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Paramedic, Emergency Medical Technician, Pharmacy Technician, and Veterinary Technician. Individuals can upload proof of vaccination or request an exception (citing only medical or religious reasons) using COCC's approved form: Allied Health COVID-19 Vaccine Card Form. Students in these programs should send all vaccination-related questions to Raquel Meyers: rmeyers@cocc.edu. Faculty in these programs should send all vaccination-related questions to their deans. 

Certain clinical/practicum locations may not allow students to participate in practicum/direct patient care without COVID-19 vaccination/booster. If such practicum/direct patient care is required in a program, students will likely not be able to successfully complete the program if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Students or faculty in these programs who receive an exception are required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing in order to participate in their practicum/direct patient care. 

COCC also requires full COVID-19 vaccination and boosters of all students for the 2021/2022 academic year in the following areas:

1. Wickiup Hall residential students: Residents can request an exception per Oregon State law, citing medical or non-medical reasons including those of a religious, philosophical, or personal nature. Wickiup residents who receive an exception will be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. Residents should send all vaccination-related questions to housing@cocc.edu. 
   
   
2. Student athletes playing close-contact sports. These athletes can request an exception per Oregon State law, citing medical or non-medical reasons including those of a religious, philosophical, or personal nature. Athletes who receive an exception will be required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing. Athletes should send all vaccination-related questions to Joshua Motenko: jmotenko@cocc.edu. 

For students in the three areas outlined above, exceptions to the original COVID-19 vaccination requirement will automatically apply to the booster requirement; you do not need to reapply for exception to the booster requirement. 

Deadlines for Required Boosters for Students (and Faculty, where applicable) in the Areas Listed Above:

• Individuals must receive their COVID-19 booster by Tuesday, March 1, 2022 if the date of their last COVID-19 vaccination (second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or first dose of Johnson & Johnson) was more than five months ago.
• Individuals must receive their COVID-19 booster no later than six months after their last dose if the date of their last COVID-19 vaccination (second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or first dose of Johnson & Johnson) was fewer than five months ago.

Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COCC defines "fully COVID-19 vaccinated" as: two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, with full effectiveness as of the 15th day after the last dose. Eligibility for a booster depends on which COVID-19 vaccinations you have received; please review the latest CDC guidance on COVID-19 boosters.

This policy is subject to change according to evolving CDC, OHA, OSHA, HECC, county health, and governor's office guidance. The policy will also be revisited ahead of each term and whenever relevant guidance changes. 

COCC continues to strongly recommend all COCC employees and students be fully vaccinated (and boosted, when eligible) against COVID-19 for the 2021/2022 academic year. Email covid19info@cocc.edu with any questions.

On-Campus Free COVID-19 Vaccination & Booster Clinics

Check back often for future on-campus vaccination clinic dates.

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Where to Find the COVID-19 Vaccine

At Pharmacies Across Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties):
Fred Meyer, Walgreens, Safeway, Walmart, Costco, SAV-ON, Rite Aid, and Bi-Mart are all offering vaccinations and boosters to Central Oregonians. Visit vaccinefinder.org or visit the specific pharmacy company's website to search for available vaccination and booster appointments.

At Federally Qualified Health Centers:
Mosaic Medical is providing limited vaccine appointments to patients. Current Mosaic Medical patients may visit: Mosaic Medical COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling.

La Pine Community Health Center Clinic is providing limited vaccine appointments to patients. La Pine Community Health Center patients may visit: La Pine Community Health Center COVID-19 Information.