Fall 2021 COVID-19 Update

As the University shared in a recent update to the campus community, Baylor is preparing for a normal fall with classes and events at 100% capacity. Although COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for students, faculty and staff for the fall semester, Baylor's medical team strongly encourages everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Vaccinations at the Health Center

The Baylor Health Center in the McLane Student Life Center has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available now for students, faculty and staff. Students can make an appointment online through the Health Portal. Faculty and staff should call 254-710-1010 to make their vaccination appointment. If you are off campus, you can find a vaccine site in your area at vaccines.gov. COVID-19 vaccination is a critical prevention measure to help end the pandemic and accelerate the path to normal.

Weekly Testing

This fall, Baylor will conduct weekly COVID-19 testing for non-exempt students, faculty and staff. Testing – along with vaccines, hand washing, being mindful of symptoms and other CDC-recommended precautions – is part of a layered approach to keep each other safe and healthy, help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and allow us to continue to take steps toward normal. These measures are important, especially with the new and more contagious Delta variant circulating in the United States and lower vaccination rates.

Exempt from Testing

Students, faculty and staff are exempt from testing if they are fully vaccinated or have had a positive COVID-19 test within the previous 180 days. To be exempt from testing, you will need to complete one of the following confirmation methods:

Report Vaccinations

To receive a testing exemption from Health Services, fully vaccinated individuals will need to complete a brief HIPAA-protected form and upload a photo of their completed vaccination card. To successfully access the form, you must be logged in to your own Baylor-provided email account. If you have previously submitted this form to Health Services, you do not need to resubmit the form.

Report Positive COVID-19

For individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 180 days of returning to campus, they will need to email documentation of the positive test to Health_Services@baylor.edu. The exemption from weekly testing only extends to 180 days from the date of the positive test.

Thank you for working together to keep our campus community healthy as we look toward a normal fall. Stay tuned for additional updates in the weeks ahead provided by the Baylor COVID-19 Team.