Archive for the ‘Vaccine’ Category.

Vaccine Clinic on Campus-Feb. 18

We are partnering with WellSpan Health to host a vaccine clinic on on Feb. 18. Students, employees, and employee families can receive a first, second, or booster dose of Pfizer. We must have at least 15 registered individuals by Friday, Feb. 4, to host the clinic. Sign up on Redbook.

Remote Start to Spring 2022 Semester

Dear Students, 

Given the regional surge in COVID-19 infections and the transmissibility of the omicron variant, LVC will begin Spring 2022 semester courses remotely for two weeks, starting January 17. The College made this decision in consultation with Penn State Health in the hopes that infections will be on a downward trajectory by the end of the month. However, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and make further adjustments as necessary.

*In-person classes are now set to begin January 31. (Note: Provost Cowart is working with health professions programs that have a pedagogical need for some students to begin in-person learning January 17. If you are a health professions student or an education student with a teaching placement, please look for messages from your program director or chair.) 

*Students—residential and commuter—should delay their return to campus until January 30. Those who need to return earlier than January 30 must complete this Request for Early Move-In form by Thursday, January 6, at 4 p.m. Exemptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis for students with exceptional circumstances. 

*Student-athletes will be contacted by their coaches with their report dates. 

*Vaccinations and boosters are highly effective in mitigating the spread and severity of COVID-19, even the latest omicron variant. In fact, the majority of those hospitalized and critically ill are unvaccinated. Higher vaccination and booster rates maximize our ability to return to and sustain in-person learning. 

*Any student who has reported being boosted will be entered into a weekly drawing for a $100 gift card starting January 17 and continuing through the end of the semester. Report being fully vaccinated or boosted here. Please get your flu shot as well.  

*The CDC has made changes to its quarantine and isolation recommendations. Students who have received their boosters or have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last five (Pfizer) or six (Moderna) months or have completed the primary series of J&J vaccine in the last two months will not be required to quarantine if exposed to someone who tests positive.* Otherwise, you will be required to quarantine if you are a contact of someone testing positive. 

Upon your return to campus: 

*We will not require re-entry testing. However, we encourage you to get tested before your planned return. If you have symptoms of an illness, delay your return to campus until you are well. 

*If you are experiencing symptoms of any illness—even if it is a sniffle and even if you are fully vaccinated, fill out the Daily Symptom Tracker in MyLVC. Shroyer Health Center staff will contact you. DO NOT visit Shroyer without an appointment, and please do not visit an urgent care center in lieu of seeing the healthcare professionals at Shroyer. 

*Please wear surgical masks, N95s, or cloth masks of at least three layers. Universal indoor masking will continue, including in residence halls. Residential students are required to mask up inside residence halls. The only exception is when roommates are inside their room with no other visitors. 

*Please follow all masking, testing, isolation, and quarantining guidelines. Contact tracing and surveillance testing of unvaccinated individuals will continue. Those who do not comply will be subject to disciplinary action under the student conduct code. 

*Classroom distancing of at least three feet will continue. Practice social distancing of at least six feet whenever possible. 

*If it is determined that you must isolate or quarantine, you may be required to go home until you are cleared to return to campus. 

Contact information@lvc.edu if you have questions. 

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding.  

President MacLaren 
*Please check the CDC and FDA websites for the latest information about vaccination protocols and timelines for your age group.

Important COVID-19 Update

LVC Community: 

We have so far this semester fared exceptionally well in preventing COVID-19 infections among our students and employees. Indoor masking, contact tracing, high immunization rates, and compliance with quarantining and isolation have worked and allowed us to have an in-person semester.  

However, positivity rates and cases are rising on campus and in Lebanon County as people gather indoors more often during the colder weather and the efficacy of the vaccine has been found to decrease over time. Our partners at Penn State Health have reported that hospitalizations, especially among unvaccinated individuals, are “going in the wrong direction.” Even if your symptoms feel like a mild cold, you could be spreading COVID-19 to vulnerable people at risk of experiencing much worse symptoms. 

There are just a few weeks to go. I urge you to: 

Be aware of new symptoms. Colds, allergies, and sniffles are prevalent this time of year. Even mild cold-like symptoms or nausea could be a sign of COVID-19 infection. Students must fill out the symptom tracker any time they experience symptoms. This alerts health center staff to get in touch. 

If you have any of these symptoms, isolate yourself, regardless of vaccination status. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your healthcare provider (employees) or Shroyer Health Center (students) at x.6232, 717-867-6232, or healthservices@lvc.edu.  

  • Fever or chills 
  • Cough 
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
  • New loss of taste or smell 

Also contact your healthcare provider or Shroyer if you experience more than one of the following symptoms: 

  • Congestion or runny nose 
  • Fatigue 
  • Muscle or body aches 
  • Headache 
  • Diarrhea
  • Sore throat 
  • Nausea or vomiting 

Anyone who has a medical emergency should go to the ER or call 911. Students may call public safety for assistance at x.6111 or 717-867-6111. 

Get your COVID-19 booster shot. Boosters are widely available to and recommended for anyone 18 and older who finished both shots of either Pfizer and Moderna six months ago or got a Johnson & Johnson vaccine two months ago. Vaccines and booster shots are critical even for those who have had COVID-19. Your immunity wanes 90 days after infection. 

Get your flu shot. Flu season has already begun in our region. You can get flu and COVID-19 vaccines and boosters at the same time. 

Stay vigilant about indoor masking. Masks are proven to reduce the number of droplets significantly, thus lessening the viral load and the risk of infection.  

Be cautious over these holiday breaks. Mask up when gathering with people outside of your family unit. Avoid large gatherings, parties, bars, and clubs. 

Rest up and enjoy your break so we can head into finals healthy and strong—together. 

President MacLaren 

Vaccine Boosters on Campus

WellSpan will have Pfizer booster shoots available at an on-campus clinic Friday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Any member of the campus community who is 18 or older, received Pfizer as their initial vaccine, and is six months past full dosage is eligible.

Students can sign up on Redbook. Staff should email shroyerhealthcenter@lvc.edu.

Can LVC Ask for Vaccination Status?

Q: Is LVC allowed to ask about students’ vaccination status?

A: Yes. There is clear legal guidance that vaccine status can be requested, and such requests do not violate the law. LVC keeps vaccination records confidential and private in a secure database accessible only to employees that have a legitimate reason to have access to this data. Student vaccination cards are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Q: Is LVC allowed to ask about employees’ vaccination status?

A. Yes. There is clear legal guidance that vaccine status can be requested and such requests do not violate the law.  LVC keeps vaccination records confidential and private in a secure database accessible only to employees that have a legitimate reason to have access to this data.

Use this form to upload images of your vaccine card.