Medical and Religious Exemptions

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On January 7, 2022, The University System of Maryland (USM) announced a "booster shot mandate".  This mandate requires that all students living on a USM campus during the spring 2022 semester must receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Several USM schools have gone beyond the USM booster mandate and are requiring all students to receive a booster for the spring 2022 semester. Students who have been exempted from the COVID-19 vaccination mandate are not subject to this booster requirement.  Schools have or will soon have procedures in place to apply for exemptions prior to the start of the spring 2022 semester.  Review the blog post below for some resources if you have questions about securing a religious exemption. Additional resources available on the internet.  These are all suggestions to get you started and are not intended to be legal advice.  Consult a lawyer as needed for your specific circumstances.

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On April 23, 2021, University System of Maryland Chancellor, Jay Perman, issued a COVID vaccination mandate for students, faculty and staff throughout the University system [link here] citing, "I find myself looking at risk/benefit again, not at the patient level, but at the population level."

"For this reason, I’m requiring that all eligible students, faculty, and staff who will be on our Maryland campuses this fall be vaccinated against COVID. Of course, we’ll comply with all federal and state laws in granting appropriate exemptions for medical or religious reasons." - USM Chancellor Jay Perman

As of the week of May 17, 2021, Colleges and Universities in MD announced they would be publishing mandate processes.  Some segments of USM, like UMBC, have communicated that they will be granting very few exemptions. 

Medical exemptions are very difficult to obtain. Unless there is a medical condition related to a known contra-indication of the injections, it is unlikely to be granted. Religious exemptions may be the better avenue, if it that aligns with your beliefs.  Choose the option that is best for you. No information currently on whether any USM college or university will accept both. 
 
IMPORTANT:
Join the UMDEE F B page for information and resources as policies change and evolve.  

As there are no guarantees as to how long the exemptions will be allowed, we must continue our efforts even if granted an exemption for the Fall semester. FDA approval, a change in school policy, or change in Maryland law could end this exemption option.  We must stop this NOW!

File your religious and/or medical exemption when your school has released the process for submission. Keep copies of all submissions and correspondence (to AND from) that you have with the Colleges / Universities.
 
Below are some resources* if you have questions about securing a religious exemption. Additional resources available on the internet.

 *Health Choice - Maryland article: "What Constitutes a Religious Exemption from Vaccination?"

 *Coalition for Future Maryland: "Exemptions"

*Note about links/Disclaimer:  The information being provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information and materials available on this website are for general information purposes only. The links are intended for the convenience of the reader. CFMD is not affiliated with these third party websites.
 
Disclaimer: All content on this website is intended for general information purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice applicable to your particular situation or reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in these posts should be construed as legal advice from UMDEE or any individual associated with UMDEE. No reader of this website should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through this website without seeking the appropriate legal or professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from an attorney licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction. Before taking any action based on this website, you should consider your personal situation and seek independent legal advice.
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