Vaccination Statement

Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) has an obligation to serve the public and promote the health and safety of the communities it serves. Our programs accomplish this in part by requiring vaccinations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Healthcare Workers (refer to the CDC website) as well as additional vaccinations specific to each program. The University requires vaccinations for students who will appear on campus or work with patients associated with required clinical coursework. The University acknowledges medical contraindications as well as religious exemptions to waive the vaccination requirement.

COVID-19 update as of March 20, 2023

Since the formation of the COVID Return-to-Campus Committee during the global pandemic, dedicated committee members have diligently monitored and closely observed pandemic trends, expert recommendations, CDC guidelines, Utah Health Department reports, and RMU-specific COVID reporting.

While there were several lessons learned along the way, the progressive versions of these plans were successful in guiding the university back to on-campus activity while the pandemic continued.

The pandemic has faded to the point where it is no longer the public health crisis it was, thankfully, and COVID-19 has become a common respiratory illness similar to influenza and RSV. It is time for RMU to officially move on from a pandemic response status.

At the recommendation of the COVID Return-to-Campus Committee and with the approval of RMU’s Executive Council, the COVID Standard Operating Procedures for On-Campus Instruction and the Employee Return-to-Campus Plan are no longer needed. Enclosed is RMU’s plan moving forward:

  1. COVID-19 vaccination is generally recommended for RMU employees and students. Evidence suggests those who are vaccinated against the virus may be less likely to experience more severe illness if they become infected with the pathogen. All are advised to consult with their own medical provider for personalized recommendations regarding the vaccine and boosters.
  2. Some programs may need to require COVID-19 vaccination of their students, along with other vaccinations, in order to provide required educational opportunities. Students and prospective students of programs with required clinical hours or experiences must acknowledge that many hospitals and other healthcare institutions have officially decided that they will only take students who can provide proof of COVID vaccination. If a student is not vaccinated, arranging all required clinical placements may be extremely challenging or impossible, and this could result in delayed completion of required training, delay of graduation, or the inability to graduate. Students without COVID vaccination cannot be guaranteed clinical placements. Thus, some programs may require it for incoming students.
  3. Employees and students who experience a respiratory-based illness, whether COVID or otherwise, are advised to stay off campus while sick, especially if febrile and coughing. If symptoms are mild, and the person feels their symptoms are mild enough they can come to campus, they are requested to wear a mask around others to help minimize the spread of the illness. Frequent handwashing would be encouraged as well.
  4. Employees and students who suspects or tests positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to report it to the university. The university is no longer dictating or managing isolation or quarantine practices.

On behalf of the entire University, we express our appreciation and thanks to the COVID Return-to-Campus Committee for their dedicated work and effort to keep RMU students, faculty, and staff safe through the pandemic.