COVID-19

We Commit

Thank you for your COMMITtment to keeping the IHP community safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are most grateful that you did your part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, following hygiene protocols, and social distancing. Compared to many other healthcare and educational institutions, we had low positivity rates and almost no retransmission on campus. Although COVID-19 continues to be present, we can finally state that after 1,151 days the public health emergency ended as of May 12, 2023.

Along with the state of Massachusetts, Mass General Brigham and the MGH Institute have ended universal masking requirements in all health care facilities, hospitals, clinics, other facilities, and programs with the end of the Massachusetts Mask Order and the End of the Public Health Emergency (PHE).

While on Campus

Masks are no longer required on campus except as noted below. This includes classrooms, instructional and research labs, and the IMPACT Practice Center.

Masking is required in the following circumstances:

Any person presenting with symptoms should put on a MGH Institute-issued mask.
Masks should be used per Standard Precautions and during transmission-based precautions, when engaging in education, research and care activities that may generate splashes or sprays.
When required by the Return-to-Work or Campus Policy.
IMPACT Center clients, research participants and standardized patients may ask to be masked and request that students and faculty be masked during their respective treatment sessions.

Any member of the Institute community may choose to be masked. This is a personal choice, and we respect their decision. Anyone who decides to be masked must wear an Institute-issued mask.

Respiratory hygiene stations, with Institute-issued masks and hand sanitizer, will remain accessible on campus.

Vaccinations - Updated September 2023

Students

All Institute students in academic programs scheduled to be on campus are required to submit their proof of COVID-19 vaccination into their Complio account. Students are required to receive 1 bivalent booster vaccine OR a completed series of a COVID-19 vaccine (both doses of Pfizer or Moderna, single dose of Johnson & Johnson). For guidance on how to populate your Complio account, visit the IHP’s Immunization and Certification page.

Students in need of a COVID-19 vaccine can utilize:

MGH Occupational Health: Call to make an appointment: 617-726-2217.
Mass.gov: Students can use the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Finder to find a convenient vaccination location, like CVS Pharmacy.

Noncompliant students will:

Lose access to D2L (learning management system),
Not be able to participate in clinical placements, and
Not be able to attend class on campus.

Faculty/Staff

Vaccines are required of all employees unless you have a religious or medical exemption. Faculty, staff, and students who have not received any COVID vaccines or have not completed the monovalent primary series should receive 1 bivalent booster vaccine to meet the requirement. (Individuals who received the monovalent vaccine and no booster will now be considered compliant as well.) If you have questions about the vaccine or want to discuss your vaccine concerns, MGB has developed guidance to help answer questions.

Employees who need to submit vaccine documentation to meet compliance OR wish to submit documentation received at a non-MGB institution can PHSOHSCOVID19 [at] partners.org (email proof) of vaccination to Occupational Health System Services.

Whether you were vaccinated at a Mass General Brigham site or elsewhere, you must submit attestation or documentation. All new hires must receive vaccination clearance to work from MGH Occupational Health, which includes validation of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The quickest, easiest way to get a COVID-19 booster shot is in your local community; many sites, including CVS and Walgreens, offer free booster shots. You can search vaccines.gov to find a location near you. You can also text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find a location.

Exemption Request Process

Students

Medical exemption: those who seek a medical exemption due to medical contraindications (e.g., a previous severe or immediate allergic reaction to a vaccine or the components of a COVID-19) must complete an exemption form and provide documentation from a qualified health care provider that will be subject to review by Occupational Health.
Religious exemption: those who seek a religious exemption due to sincerely held religious beliefs must complete an exemption form. Documentation may be required. jkreisel [at] mghihp.edu (Email Joanna Kreisel) for guidance on this process.

Faculty/Staff

Medical exemption: those who seek a medical exemption due to medical contraindications (e.g., a previous severe or immediate allergic reaction to a vaccine or the components of a COVID-19) must complete an exemption form and provide documentation from a qualified health care provider that will be subject to review by Occupational Health.
Religious exemption: those who seek a religious exemption due to sincerely held religious beliefs must complete an exemption form that will be subject to review by Human Resources. Documentation may be required.

Requiring vaccination as a condition of employment has been demonstrated to be necessary to achieve the highest levels of workforce vaccination and increase safety for all workforce members, patients, and visitors to health care settings.