Do I need to tell the College that I’ve been vaccinated?

Yes. Faculty, staff, and students who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 should complete the COVID Vaccine Documentation form to notify the College of their vaccination. You should do this after receiving your first dose. Once you complete the form, someone will be in touch with you to request that you submit documentation to verify the information you submit. Please be prepared to email a scan/image of your vaccination card.

If I’ve been vaccinated, do I still need to get tested on campus?

Students, faculty and staff who have submitted documentation showing that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer be in the pool for weekly surveillance testing on campus. Fully vaccinated individuals maybe tested for other reasons—such as exposure to a known positive case, returning from overnight travel or exhibiting symptoms of the virus—and are required to participate when called upon.

If I’ve been vaccinated, is it more likely I will test positive for COVID-19?

No. None of the currently authorized and recommended vaccines in the United States can cause you to test positive on viral tests (PCR and Antigen), which are used to determine if you have a current infection. You could test positive for COVID-19 antibodies on an antibody test, which shows if you have built up some immunity to the virus.

If I’ve been vaccinated, do I still need to wear a mask, practice physical distancing, keep my pod small, and monitor myself for symptoms of COVID-19?

Yes. All members of our on-campus community are subject to the same expectations regarding mask-wearing, physical distancing, limiting close contacts, and self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19.

If I’ve been vaccinated, do I still need to go into quarantine if I’ve been exposed to a positive case?

You will NOT need to quarantine if both of the following are true:

  • It has been at least 14 days since you completed the full vaccination (2 doses of Moderna or Pfizer; 1 dose of Johnson and Johnson)
  • You are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19

If either of the above are not true, you will still need to quarantine.

If I’ve been vaccinated, do I still need to stay in the hotel and get tested after returning to campus from overnight travel?

While we continue to discourage unnecessary travel away from campus, fully vaccinated students who return to Carleton from overnight travel within the United States are no longer required to “lie low” upon return. These students will be tested for COVID-19 between 5 and 7 days following their return but will be able to return to normal activities right away. If you need to travel away from campus, please complete the Overnight Visit Form in advance so your test can be scheduled. Students returning from travel abroad will continue to be required to “lie low,” and will be tested for COVID-19 upon return and again five days later before rejoining normal activities.