Because of new, more stringent COVID-19 vaccination requirements from the federal government, The University of Toledo will no longer be permitted to allow philosophical exemptions for any employee or for student learners in healthcare settings.
An executive order requires full vaccination of employees at entities holding contracts with the federal government. And the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is now requiring individuals at healthcare facilities receiving CMS funding to be fully vaccinated.
These new federal rules do not permit philosophical exemptions.
This change will require employees, including student workers, and clinical learners who were previously granted philosophical exemptions under the University’s vaccine requirement to either apply for a new religious exemption or medical exemption, or to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
For individuals who are not granted a religious or medical exemption, the federal government has set a deadline of Dec. 6 for the first vaccine dose with the full course received no later than Jan. 4, 2022.
Individuals seeking a new exemption should complete their request by Dec. 1 to give the University time to review and process their application ahead of the federal deadline.
Updated exemption request forms are available on the University’s vaccine requirement website.
The new federal rules will have no effect on fully vaccinated students or employees who have already uploaded their proof of vaccination.
UToledo will continue to allow religious/philosophical exemptions for students who are not in clinical settings or employed by the University, and therefore, not subject to the new federal regulations.
