Click to reveal the search form
Close the search form
Menu

Vaccination Requirement and Waiver of Liability for AAU Events

Vaccination Requirement and Waiver of Liability for AAU Events

 

COVID-19 Safety Information

AAU seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for its staff, volunteers, and program participants. With this goal in mind throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, AAU has complied with emergency orders from local, state, and federal entities and developed its own policies and procedures. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two and provided Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for one additional vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2). The World Health Organization (WHO) has also listed several vaccines for emergency use. Evidence indicates the vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing the spread of and most severe effects of COVID-19 disease. The science supporting these vaccines is sound, and inoculation for COVID-19 is the most effective path to a return to normalcy.

All participants attending in-person meetings, events, and convenings – including, but not limited to, presenters, attendees, exhibitors, staff, and guests – must be fully vaccinated and up to date with their vaccinations (receipt of a booster dose), as defined below. Participants must certify that they are fully vaccinated1 and up to date with their vaccination or will be fully vaccinated and up to do date with their vaccination by the date of the event, to register for and/or attend any in-person event.

Definitions

1. Fully Vaccinated and Up to Date with Vaccinations

People are considered fully vaccinated and up to date:

  • Two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or
  • Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, And
  • Receipt of a booster dose at least five months after the last dose of the approved 2-dose series or two months after the single shot.
  • Accommodations may be offered on a case-by-case basis for any in-person participant who is unable to be vaccinated due to disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs. AAU may require any individual approved for an accommodation to comply with alternative requirements or restrictions.

AAU will continue to follow all local, state, and federal guidelines, but reserves the right to impose more stringent requirements (e.g., mandatory mask-wearing for all attendees) at its events. In addition, because guidelines and recommendations are regularly updated, AAU may change its policies and practices on limited notice as circumstances develop.

Duty to Self-Monitor

Participants, guests, and speakers agree to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (symptoms typically include fever, cough, and shortness of breath) and, contact AAU if he/she experiences symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days after participating or attending an AAU event.

By voluntarily registering for and participating in any AAU-sponsored event, I acknowledge, understand, and agree to the following:

  1. Participation in the event includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases, including but not limited to COVID-19. While particular rules and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious illness and death does exist and may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of AAU employees, event participants, vendors, and those coming into contact with those individuals;
  2. I understand that, although AAU can put mechanisms in place to minimize the risk of infectious diseases, AAU cannot eliminate the risks associated with its events. I knowingly and freely assume all such risks related to illness and infectious diseases, such as COVID-19;
  3. I hereby knowingly assume the risk of injury, harm, and loss associated with the event, including any injury, harm, and loss caused by the negligence, fault, or conduct of any kind on the part of AAU;
  4. I acknowledge and agree that, in the event of a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 being reported to AAU as a result of any event, AAU may be required to share personal participant information internally or with public health authorities, including for potential contact tracing; and
  5. I agree to comply with all infectious disease protocols, including any COVID-19 protocols established by AAU in connection with the event, including any distancing or mask requirements as and if applicable.
  6. I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any expense, liability, illness, injury, disability or death related to contracting the virus while attending an event hosted by AAU. I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless AAU from all claims any kind arising out of COVID-19. I understand and agree that release of liability includes any claims towards AAU, and its directors, representatives, and staff whether a COVID-19 infection occurrence exists before, during, or after attendance and participation at an AAU event.

This vaccination requirement and waiver of liability shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to its choice of law principals.

I hereby acknowledge that I have read the Vaccination Requirement and Waiver of Liability for AAU Events entirely, that I understand its terms, that I have accepted it knowingly and voluntarily, and that I intend to be bound by all the terms contained herein.

‡ This guidance applies to COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson (J&J)/Janssen. This guidance can also be applied to COVID-19 vaccines that have been listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (e.g., AstraZeneca/Oxford)