November 8 Weekly CIRT Campus Update
CIRT Update
Published November 8, 2021
Dear students, staff and faculty:
Below, please find important campus, regional and national updates from the COVID-19 Incident Response Team (CIRT).
Campus Status
Over the past seven days, there have been three positive cases of COVID-19 reported through the on-campus campus screening program. For more data on the screening program, please visit Coronavirus Screening.
Masking Reminder
As a reminder, masks are required for all students, staff and faculty indoors except when alone in enclosed spaces. Members of the Smith community may not circumvent this policy by mutual agreement or any other process.
Vaccination Update
The CDC recommends that children between the ages of 5 and 11 years receive the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine. Please visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/ to find vaccination locations.
Event Policy Update
As a reminder, the college will permit external guests at college-sponsored events beginning today so long as strict policy guidelines are followed. Under this policy, all events with external guests must first be approved by the relevant Cabinet member.
Booster Updates
The college continues to monitor federal guidance around COVID-19 booster shots. Those eligible to receive booster shots should visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/ for vaccine booster locations.
Pfizer and Moderna
Individuals in the following groups are eligible to receive a booster shot at least six months after completion of their primary two dose series:
- Individuals 65 years and older
- Individuals 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Individuals 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Individuals 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
Johnson & Johnson/Janssen
All individuals 18 and older are able to receive a booster shot at least two months after their J&J/Janssen vaccine:
CDC recommendations also allow for mixing and matching of different COVID-19 booster doses. Eligible individuals may choose which booster vaccine they want. Some people may want the type they originally received; others may prefer to get a different booster.
Smith employees: Following the Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidance, people aged 18 or older who work in higher education are eligible for booster doses 6 months after completion of their Pfizer or Moderna primary series.
COVID-19 Incident Response Team (CIRT)
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