UPDATE: 80% of Purdue campus community documented as fully vaccinated against COVID-19

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Already one of the most vaccinated populations in the state of Indiana, the Purdue University campus community in West Lafayette has reached a milestone in the fight against COVID-19, with 80% of the overall population now fully vaccinated. Overall, 43,995 students, faculty and staff have documented their vaccination status and had it verified as of Thursday (Aug. 26). 

Less than one week into the fall semester:

• 80% of all students have submitted valid proof of full vaccination.
• 87% of students living in University Residences have submitted valid proof of full vaccination.
• 79% of students in Fraternity, Sorority, and Co-Operative Life (FSCL) have submitted valid proof of full vaccination.
• 90% of faculty members have submitted valid proof of full vaccination.
• 75% of staff members have submitted valid proof of full vaccination.

If Purdue were its own ZIP code for public health reporting data, the campus’ rate for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 would rank among the top 3% in the state’s 740 ZIP codes with reported data, based on figures from the Indiana Department of Health. 

“When we surveyed the campus population last year, 80% responded that they were willing and intending to be vaccinated, with another 10% or so undecided,” said Eric Barker, dean of the College of Pharmacy and leader of the Protect Purdue Health Monitoring and Surveillance Team. “Boilermakers do what they say they will do, especially when it comes to protecting Purdue, and we hope more take action. Now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the FDA and the Moderna vaccine is expected to be very soon, we hope this motivates those who have not yet made up their minds.”

An on-campus vaccine clinic is open at the Co-Rec from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. No reservation is needed to receive the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine. Purdue faculty, staff, students, retirees, spouses and dependents ages 12 and up are eligible to be vaccinated on campus.

“With 80% verified as vaccinated and still climbing each day, our Boilermaker students, faculty and staff have again demonstrated just how committed they are to protecting our campus community from serious disease,” said Dr. Esteban Ramirez, Protect Purdue Health Center chief medical officer. “While vaccination does not prevent all likelihood or sickness, data show that breakthrough cases are much less frequent and severe than what the unvaccinated experience. This high campus vaccination rate also puts less strain on our medical resources, allowing us to best serve patients and protect the operations of the university.”

Surveillance testing, which may be as frequent as weekly, has begun for those who are not vaccinated or who have not registered their status and had it verified. Supplemental targeted testing will be used in any potential hot spots identified through contact tracing or data insights and will be required regardless of vaccination status.

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated and who have a high-risk exposure must quarantine for 14 days and will not be allowed to attend classes or report to work, regardless of symptoms. A high-risk exposure is defined by the extent of time spent together, masking and proximity: time greater than 15 minutes while within 6 feet of one another and at least one individual is not masked.

In addition, all Boilermakers must have a personal plan for proper isolation or quarantine should it be necessary. On-campus accommodations for those exposed to or infected with COVID-19 will be limited and may not be available at any given time. As a result, university-provided isolation and quarantine housing will not be guaranteed.

Masks are currently required inside all campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Full Protect Purdue masking protocols are available online. Violations of these protocols will be considered violations of the Protect Purdue Pledge and will be subject to disciplinary action. As with all Protect Purdue protocols, this policy is subject to change depending on the latest data, including campus vaccination rates.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.