New hires

• Effective January 1, 2022, all new Cornell hires must meet the vaccine requirement before they start work. Failure to demonstrate compliance with this requirement prior to the first day of work will result in the delay of employment with Cornell and may result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Yes. The vaccine requirement applies to all Cornell employees who are working partially- or fully- remote, in any location, and regardless of whether they are in a casual, temporary, regular full-time, or part-time status, unless they receive a medical/disability or religious exemption. This requirement covers employees who work for Cornell in states other than New York.

Follow the Procedures for Faculty and Staff to Request a Disability/Medical and/or Religious Exemption from the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement to complete and submit the required form(s) which are linked in the Procedures by the deadline stated in the Procedures.

No. An antibody test cannot be used to meet the requirement.

No. Prior COVID-19 infection is not sufficient to meet the requirement.

Individuals who have had the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccination and have had COVID-19 are still recommended to get a booster. Generally, all individuals are eligible for a booster shot five months after they have received their second vaccine dose of a Moderna and Pfizer series and two months after they have received the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The only exceptions are:

• If you currently or just recently have COVID-19, wait 2 weeks after your diagnosis and until you are asymptomatic before obtaining a booster. 
• If you received monoclonal antibody or convalescent serum therapy to prevent COVID-19, wait for 30 days before getting a booster.
• If you received monoclonal antibody or convalescent serum therapy to treat COVID-19 (in other words, if the therapy was given after a diagnosis of COVID-19 was made), wait 90 days before getting a booster.  
• Contact your primary care physician with any additional questions.

The CDC provides an excellent resource at Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC; the New York State Department of Health also has an extensive website.

The message you receive notifying you of the denial should include the next steps you must take to address the issue identified during the verification process. If you can't locate the email or have questions, contact the COVID-19 Support Center.

Information about the vaccine compliance program and the exemption process will be directly communicated to employees who have not provided documentation in Cornell’s vaccine registry in Daily Check.

If you get the vaccine and experience side effects, you may be eligible for paid leave you are otherwise entitled to if you are ill and unable to work. If you choose to file a work-related injury claim, the NYS Workers’ Compensation Board will determine whether the claim qualifies for coverage under state law.

New York state is responsible for determining eligibility for unemployment insurance and does so on a case-by-case basis.

Please contact the HR Services and Transitions Center to discuss the impact of leaving Cornell on your benefits.  Your access to your retirement accounts depends on your age and length of service.

 No. If you are on an approved leave, you must come into compliance with the university’s vaccination requirements or obtain a university-approved exemption before you may return to work.