A Message about COVID-19 Booster and Flu Vaccine Clinics, Flu Season and COVID
A COVID-19 Update
In this Update:- COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine clinics
- Flu season and COVID
- Monkeypox update
To the Bard College community,
We hope you enjoyed the fall break. As we move into the second half of the semester we wanted to update you on a few issues of importance to the health of our community.
Response Team representatives continue to meet regularly with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health to receive local updates and the latest information from New York State health authorities about COVID. We will inform our community if public health authorities recommend or require any adjustments to our on-campus policies based on local and regional trends, as we have since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine clinics
Thank you to everyone who has organized, volunteered for, and participated in the two vaccine clinics we have held on campus so far this semester for the Covid-19 bivalent booster and the influenza vaccine. The response has been tremendous, with both clinics filling up quickly. The COVID bivalent booster offers broad protection against COVID-19 including the Omicron variant. Both Pfizer and Moderna offer versions of the bivalent booster; the Moderna booster is authorized for people age 18 and older, whereas the Pfizer booster is authorized for people age 12 and older.
Current college policy is to require that all faculty, staff, and students - except for those few who have applied for and received medical or religious exemptions - to have their full primary series and at least one booster shot. The additional COVID bivalent booster is strongly recommended but not required at this point in time. All visitors are also required to be fully vaccinated and and at least one booster shot.
Given the strong demonstrated interest in receiving the bivalent booster (thank you!), we will continue to work with our partner Dr. Neal Smoller to arrange additional on-campus clinics. Stay tuned for announcements from the Bard Health Service with registration details.
Flu season and COVID
We are on the cusp of flu season, and there has also been an uptick in community COVID rates in some neighboring counties. Given that flu and COVID symptoms are very similar, we encourage all members of our community to remain aware that COVID is still a factor affecting community health at and around Bard. Please get a flu shot if eligible.
Monkeypox update
As we shared in our previous update, President Biden declared monkeypox a public health emergency earlier this fall. We have worked closely with local public health authorities to track incidence rates and educate our community about the risks. Fortunately, the incident rate of monkeypox in New York seems to be slowing. However, given the severe and onerous isolation procedures for anyone who tests positive (up to 3 weeks in isolation) and limited availability of vaccines, we urge community members to remain careful and vigilant to prevent the further spread of monkeypox.
Please review these “prevention” tips from the New York City Department of Health to avoid exposure and potential transmission. Key among them is reducing or avoiding intimate contact - including shared clothing and bedding - with others. Individuals at highest risk are those who have sex with multiple partners.
If you have any symptoms consistent with monkeypox (fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion, and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters), particularly if you have recently been in intimate contact with another person, call the Bard Health Service immediately. Faculty and staff with questions or concerns should consult with their primary care physician.
Monkeypox vaccine supplies are limited and are controlled by public health authorities. You can check your eligibility and, if eligible, register for vaccination in Dutchess County here. The limited supply of vaccines is why avoiding exposure and preventing spread are critical.
You can also sign up for monkeypox alerts from the New York State Department of Health for more information and updates.
Please feel free to reach out to the Response Team with any questions or concerns, and thank you again for your help in supporting the collective health of our community.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
[email protected]
Coleen Murphy Alexander, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Christian Ayne Crouch, Dean of Graduate Studies
Deirdre d'Albertis, Vice President and Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office, Vice President for Strategy and Policy
Brooke Jude, Associate Professor of Biology
David Lindholm, Athletic Director
Emily McLaughlin, Associate Dean of the College, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Andrea Provan, Assistant Director of Health Services
Michael Sadowski, Associate Dean of the College
David Shein, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Studies
Yakira Teitel, Director of Health Services
Pete Verdesi, Director, Safety and Security
Dumaine Williams, Vice President for Student Affairs
Hannah Zipple, Dean of Students
For more information, call 845-758-6822.