COVID-19 vaccine update: Get vaccinated now

Students

In alignment with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Student Health is again offering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine in addition to the two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

To sign up for your vaccination, visit the Student Health website, where you can view the vaccine schedule. When you sign in to MyUI, you should choose to schedule on a day that Student Health is providing the vaccine you wish to receive. If you elect to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you will be provided information, in accordance with the CDC recommendations, regarding the rare but increased risk of an adverse event in women younger than 50 and guidance to report any possible symptoms of a blood clot. You can also read this Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet for additional information as you consider your options.

Reminder: Student Health can also provide a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to students regardless of where they received their first dose. Doses must still be three weeks apart, but this gives you more flexibility and may be more convenient. If you need a second dose of Moderna, please call Student Health at 319-335-9704.

If you want to get your first dose on campus through Student Health and your second dose elsewhere, you should check with a provider in your home county and state to ensure availability. Then get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Employees

Employees who wish to be vaccinated by the University Employee Health Clinic must first complete a COVID-19 immunization survey in your ReadySet employee health record. This brief survey of your medical history, similar to the survey required for the flu vaccine, is required to become vaccinated and triggers the process to self-schedule the vaccination appointment.

We urge you to complete the appropriate immunization survey and get vaccinated as soon as you can.

Mental health resources: Overcoming stigma and mental health myths

The ongoing impact of COVID-19 has created a great deal of stress and uncertainty for individuals, families, communities, and health care providers. While things seem to be improving, many of us are still trying to process our feelings one year into the pandemic. As you sit with these feelings, you may benefit from seeking support from a mental health provider. However, mental health stigma can prevent some from reaching out for help.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Your needs are valid. Therapists will not compare pain and decide who has it worse. A therapist can help you identify and work on reducing symptoms that are interfering with your work and personal life.
• You may be reluctant to admit you need treatment out of fear of being labeled with a “mental illness.” Seeking help and educating yourself about your concerns can help you overcome self-judgement and build self-esteem.
• It’s not all about self-care. While making time to do things you enjoy can relieve stress, caring for yourself also can include setting boundaries and being honest with yourself about your needs.
• You’re not alone. Reach out to friends, family, and people you trust for support. Sharing what you are going through can help you feel less isolated.

For more resources on overcoming the stigma related to seeking mental health services, listen to University Counseling Service’s Therapists are People podcast, which breaks down mental health myths that can prevent us from seeking support.

For more information about mental health resources, see mentalhealth.uiowa.edu.

For counseling and support, the Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling at no cost for UI employees and their families; or University Counseling Service offers confidential counseling and support for students. Participate in Kognito Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Training.

Johnson County vaccination progress

The University of Iowa strongly encourages students, faculty, and staff to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, in consultation with their health care provider.

Please keep in mind immunity is not achieved immediately after receiving the vaccine. It also will take time for everyone who wants to be vaccinated to receive the required doses. In the meantime, we can continue to protect ourselves and each other by wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance from others, washing our hands frequently, and avoiding indoor gatherings with others outside our household. More information about the state of Iowa’s vaccine administration is available here.

University of Iowa self-reported COVID-19 testing

These data reflect new cases since April 28, 2021.

The University of Iowa has published an updated snapshot of self-reported positive COVID-19 tests from faculty, staff, and students.

Number of self-reported cases of COVID-19

Students

• New cases: 4
• Total cases: 3,180

Employees

• New cases: 0
• Total cases: 493

These numbers reflect only self-reported positive or presumed positive COVID-19 tests from UI faculty, staff, and students on the academic campus since Aug. 18, 2020. These data will not match data reported by UI Hospitals & Clinics or by the Iowa Department of Public Health for several reasons, including different testing time intervals and geographic scope. Students who also are employees of the university are only reported in the student number to avoid double counting. The UI has more than 30,000 students and nearly 30,000 employees. Many employees continue to work remotely but have self-reported to authorize sick leave.

Number of residence hall students in quarantine: 0*

Number of residence hall students in self-isolation: 8**

*Quarantine: Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others.

**Self-isolation: Isolation is used to separate people infected.