Ithaca College

Students must enroll on Tompkins County Vaccine Registry by 6:00 PM on Monday, April 12, for opportunity to participate in special vaccine distribution at Cayuga Health System vaccination site at the Shops at Ithaca Mall.

Dear Students,

We are pleased to announce that Cayuga Health System (CHS) and the Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) will host a “College Student Vaccination Day” for students from Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community College on Thursday, April 15, at the Shops at Ithaca Mall vaccination site.

CHS will administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that was allotted to each institution from New York State. This is a single-dose vaccine that offers immunity beginning two weeks after you receive your dose. Like all currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as safe and effective.

Registration

Students who are interested in participating must enroll in the TCHD COVID-19 Vaccine Registry. Even if you have previously registered, you must re-register and indicate that you are a student at Cornell, IC or TC3. Because there are a limited number of available appointments on this day, please register (or re-register) by 6pm on Monday, April 12. Appointments are not guaranteed.

Confirming appointments

TCHD will randomly select a set number of students from each college who have registered to be notified by email of available appointments. This email will come from swift911@tompkins-co.org on Tuesday, April 13. It is important that you regularly check your email on that day (including your spam folder). Students will not be able to change their appointment times. If selected, be sure to speak with your faculty members if you need to miss a class due to a conflicting appointment time.

Preparing for your appointment

Email communications from TCHD to students who are randomly selected to participate will include additional details about appointment times, transportation and necessary documentation. Please note the following:

• Students must arrive at their appointment time. Please keep your scheduled time in order to ensure a smooth experience for everyone at the vaccination clinic.
• Appointments times cannot be changed, nor can they be transferred to other students.
• Please bring your student ID, a government issued ID (passports qualify), insurance card, and proof of appointment.
• If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not pay, there is no charge for vaccination.
• TCAT bus services will be available for free for students who need transportation to the mall site.

We are tremendously grateful that CHS and TCHD are able to schedule a vaccination day specifically for college students. Hosting future events like this will be dependent on vaccine availability, but we feel confident that all members of our community will be able to be vaccinated soon.

If you are not randomly selected to participate in the April 15 vaccination clinic, being enrolled on the TCHD COVID-19 Vaccine Registry will ensure that you are notified of future appointments when more vaccine becomes available. Please continue to pursue other vaccination opportunities featured on the TCHD website or through one of the New York State vaccination sites. If you currently reside outside New York State, visit your local health department website to learn more about vaccination appointments in your area.

Sincerely,

Ithaca College
Ellyn Sellers-Selin, MD
Medical Director, Center for Counseling, Health, and Wellness

Cornell University
Sharon McMullen, RN, MPH, FACHA
Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellbeing, Student and Campus Life

Tompkins Cortland Community College
Matthew W. Kiechle, MS, MCHES 
Director, Health and Wellness Services