COVID-19 Team Update: A milestone worth celebrating

Thank you! We are thrilled to report that thousands of our staff have been vaccinated and submitted their documentation ahead of yesterday’s deadline. Each of you have done so much to not only protect yourselves but have taken important steps to help ensure a safer workplace.

Even though this deadline has passed, we know there are members of our community who have had to delay vaccination, or needed more time to make the right decision for themselves. It’s not too late! If you start your vaccination process in the coming days and weeks, please report that vaccination to Occupational Health Services (OHS)! Once you make the decision to be vaccinated, you can make an appointment here.

If you still need to be vaccinated, or would like to receive a booster, the D.C. Department of Health will be offering a vaccination clinic at the National Zoo on Wednesday, November 17 from 9:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. for anyone 18 or over. An additional DC Health-hosted clinic will be held on Thursday, November 18 at the Anacostia Community Museum (hours to be determined) for anyone 12 or older. Both of these clinics are open to the general public. Simply bring an ID and your CDC card (should you have already started the vaccination process). More information can be found here as it becomes available (website typically updates daily).  

Last week, vaccination against COVID-19 became available for children ages 5-11. As a reminder, the 4-hour Administrative Leave offered for vaccination appointments, and the 8-hour leave to recover from any side effects extends to children under your care. You may use this leave to take your children to vaccination appointments and/or to care for them should they feel any side effects after vaccination. Simply follow your unit’s leave request procedures.

Again, thank you. We have traveled a long road together since March of 2020 and have come so far – from your flexibility and support as we navigated the many unknowns early in the pandemic to your willingness to help us establish a vaccinated workplace.

Stay safe and be well,
COVID-19 Response Team
s.si.edu/COVID-19

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