October 22, 2021
Kansas State University will comply with federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement
Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing
On Sept. 9, President Joe Biden issued an executive order requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for federal employees, contractors and others. It has been determined that this executive order applies to Kansas research universities and their employees. The Kansas Board of Regents has provided formal guidance stating that this order applies to Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University.
As always, the health and safety of our faculty, staff and students remains our top priority. The vaccine requirement applies to all K-State employees, regardless if they work on federal contracts. K-State has more than 275 federal contracts and cooperative agreements, affecting almost every aspect of our university. The vaccine requirement does not apply to students who are not university employees.
All Kansas State University employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Wednesday, Dec. 8, to comply with the recent federal requirement. This requirement applies to all K-State faculty and staff as well as graduate and undergraduate student employees. The COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of employment; employees who are not fully vaccinated or do not receive approval for a medical or religious exemption may be prohibited from engaging in work after Dec. 8, 2021.
Employees who wish to request medical or religious exemptions must complete and submit the appropriate form. The process for exemptions and forms can be found on the COVID-19 vaccination website.
K-State faculty, staff and student employees must submit proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Wednesday, Dec. 8. The definition of fully vaccinated for the purposes of the federal requirement does not include booster doses at this time. The university has put together a list of frequently asked questions on the COVID-19 website. More information will be added to this website as further details become available.
Employees who have been vaccinated through Lafene Health Center do not need to submit proof of vaccination. Employees who have been vaccinated elsewhere must upload their COVID-19 vaccine cards to the myLafene+ patient portal. Employees who have already submitted their COVID-19 vaccine cards do not need to do so again. Learn how to submit your COVID-19 vaccine card.
The university encourages all employees who are not already vaccinated to start the process immediately because it can take several weeks to become fully vaccinated.
There are several COVID-19 vaccination options:
- A two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine takes six weeks after the first dose of the Moderna vaccine to become fully vaccinated and five weeks after the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to become fully vaccinated. Individuals must receive the first dose of the Moderna vaccine by Wednesday, Oct. 27, or the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine by Wednesday, Nov. 3, to meet the Dec. 8 deadline.
- The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine takes two weeks after the single dose to become fully vaccinated. Individuals must receive the Johnson & Johnson dose by Wednesday, Nov. 24, to meet the Dec. 8 deadline.
Vaccines are free and widely available. They have been proven safe after millions of inoculations and continue to offer strong protection against COVID-19. To get vaccinated, students, faculty and staff can contact Lafene Health Center, their local health department, local pharmacies or private physicians.
Lafene Health Center is offering the one-dose Johnson & Johnson and the two-dose Moderna vaccines. COVID-19 vaccines are available from Monday through Friday. Appointments are required and can be made on the myLafene+ patient portal or by calling Lafene Health Center at 785-532-6544.