Vaccine Availability and Distribution for Students

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

We are writing to provide an update about vaccine eligibility and distribution to college students in Vermont. Many of you have asked questions this week about Vermont’s vaccination plans and policies. While we do not have all the answers, we wanted to provide the information we have at this time. 

Middlebury has been working closely with the state of Vermont, the Vermont Department of Health, and other colleges and universities throughout the pandemic. Our goal is to facilitate vaccination of as many people as possible, as quickly as we can. We will continue working with Governor Phil Scott’s administration and the Vermont Department of Health toward this goal. If the vaccine allocation will not allow for our students to be vaccinated on campus, we will continue to provide guidance to students on how they can best receive the vaccine. 

While we cannot guarantee it at this time, we have nonetheless developed a plan to vaccinate Middlebury College students on our campus should enough vaccines become available in late April or May. The timing of vaccine availability and the type of vaccine offered will determine how we proceed. It is our hope and intention to vaccinate our students prior to their departure in late May. 

We will announce additional plans and guidance as soon as possible before April 19, the date when all Vermonters become eligible for vaccination. 

Any student who already has an appointment for a vaccination or who has received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine should keep their appointment. Those who are eligible to receive a vaccination in their home state that is within driving distance must receive approval from the Dean of Students office to travel out of state.

As we await further news and developments on the vaccine front, we must continue with our multilayered approach to preventing transmission of the virus. This includes wearing face coverings, physical distancing, practicing good hand hygiene, and all other mitigation measures. We are at a pivotal point. While vaccines provide the best possibility to move past the pandemic, they are just one measure of protection at this time. 

Thank you for your continued vigilance and all you are doing to protect yourselves and one another.

Sincerely,

Mark Peluso

Chief Health Officer and College Physician

Derek Doucet

Dean of Students