COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

“It’s an ethical choice, because you are playing with health, life, but you are also playing with the lives of others. I’ve signed up. One must do it….Today, at this time of darkness and uncertainty because of the pandemic, there appear different lights of hope, such as the discovery of vaccines.” – Pope Francis, January 8, 2021

Saint Mary’s safety policies regarding COVID-19 are informed by the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control, the California Department of Public Health, and the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD). We give particular emphasis to the last of these because ACPHD guidelines are most familiar with our local conditions.

Our policies are also guided by the Catholic Church and the Mission of the Christian Brothers, both of which call us to care for each other and those entrusted to our care.

Saint Mary’s will require all students, faculty, and staff coming to campus this fall to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or file a statement of declination (see below) based on personal, medical or religious grounds as long as the vaccines are approved under emergency use authorization. Once full FDA approval is granted to a COVID-19 vaccine Saint Mary’s will accept statements of declination for a medical or religious basis only.

Saint Mary’s expects every student and staff member--those who are vaccinated and those with exemptions--to respect the health and safety of those around them and engage in responsible practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Students and staff members are expected to monitor themselves for symptoms of illness daily and to stay home when sick. Should a student or employee exhibit symptom of illness while on campus, the individual will be isolated and sent home until they are free of symptoms.  Any such individual must present the school a negative COVID-19 test or documentation by their medical provider attesting they are free to return to social settings.

Updated 8/6/21