COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs

While the vaccine is currently not required by Wake Forest University for faculty, staff, or students, it is highly encouraged that everyone take advantage of opportunities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

At this moment, the University does not have plans to require the COVID-19 vaccine.

While the University is not requiring the vaccine, there are benefits to tracking individual immunizations and overall herd immunity on campus and WFU is working to potentially develop this process.

The University has applied to be a vaccine provider and has plans to implement our own vaccination clinic, when approved. The estimated timing of this approval is still unknown. In the interim, we are working with Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to identify opportunities for University faculty, staff, and affiliate colleagues to get vaccinated. However, colleagues are encouraged to take advantage of any opportunity they may have to get vaccinated including mass vaccination clinics and seeking appointments through WFBH, Novant Health and the Forsyth County Health Department.

The University will continue to follow NCDHHS eligibility guidelines to identify and communicate with colleagues as they become eligible and vaccination opportunities arise. Colleagues should use the NCDHHS Find My Vaccine Group tool to help identify what vaccination group they are in.

All full- and part-time faculty and staff members (including adjunct faculty and part-time staff), as well as affiliate colleagues, may take advantage of vaccination opportunities offered or coordinated by the University and will receive communications when they become eligible and an opportunity is available.

The University will continue to follow NCDHHS prioritization guidelines to identify and communicate with colleagues as they become eligible and vaccination opportunities arise. Colleagues should use the NCDHHS Find My Vaccine Group tool to help identify what vaccination group they are in.

While the CDC has identified a number of underlying health conditions that put individuals at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus, NCDHHS has identified that people aged 16-64 years with underlying medical conditions will be in Phase 1 Group 4.

The University currently does not have plans to offer or coordinate a vaccine clinic in Charlotte, but Charlotte Center employees are welcome to participate in vaccination opportunities in Winston-Salem and will be included in those communications. Also, vaccine locations across N.C. can be found here.

Due to some delays in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, vaccination opportunities offered or coordinated by the University will be for current employees who are eligible according to NCDHHS eligibility guidelines only.

The CDC explains that side effects from the vaccine are normal signs that your body is building protection. Common side effects include pain and swelling in the arm, as well as fever, chills, tiredness, and headache. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Staff who are experiencing side effects are encouraged to use Paid Time Off (PTO) while they recover. If possible, teams should consider staggering vaccinations within each department so potential side effects do not disrupt work.

The university is working directly with our affiliate partners to identify their employees who would be eligible for Group 3 so they may also take advantage of any opportunities offered or coordinated by WFU.

The university is working with the County Health Department to offer or coordinate opportunities for students workers to get vaccinated if their job functions qualify them for Groups 1-3.