ALL UTRGV community members are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines on March 29
March 25, 2021
Dear UTRGV Family,
We are pleased to announce that, earlier this week, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) stated that all people aged 16 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine starting Monday, March 29.
As a result, UT Health RGV will begin vaccinating all campus community members who want the vaccine on a first-come, first-serve, appointment basis. Since everyone is now eligible, we have simplified our process to request a vaccine to three simple steps:
- Log on to the UTRGV Vaccine Portal, choose one of the four available statuses and click "Submit Information" (see image below).
- If you choose to receive the vaccine, you will receive an appointment email, depending on your place in line and as vaccine supply is available. This email will allow you to choose an appointment in Brownsville (starting April 6), Edinburg or Harlingen.
- The final step is to ensure that you keep your appointment, so you can receive your first dose and schedule your second. Missing your appointment may cause you to restart the registration process.
If you want the vaccine, please access the portal now and reserve your place in line!
UT Health RGV is currently receiving and administering 2,000 vaccine doses each week, and has requested additional doses to accommodate the DSHS expansion. Nonetheless, please stay patient as they work to safely and efficiently vaccinate all students, faculty, and staff who want the vaccine as soon as possible.
Summer and Fall Operations
I am cautiously optimistic about what this vaccine eligibility expansion will allow the university to do in the coming months as we enter post-vaccination operations.
As Dr. Janna Arney, our Deputy President and Interim Provost, mentioned earlier this month, UTRGV is currently planning a return to campus this Fall Semester. If we can successfully vaccinate all willing individuals by late May, we may reopen campus for traditional operations in time for the start of Summer Session I on June 1. We will still offer online and hybrid classes through both Summer Sessions.
Until then, we will:
- Continue to enforce our COVID-19 campus protocols, including the wearing of facial coverings and social distancing, until further notice.
- Continue to have employees work directly with their chair or supervisor regarding their return to campus.
- Tentatively plan both Summer Sessions to function similar to the current Spring term.
- Plan in-person courses with pre-COVID-19 classroom limits and seating this Fall.
- Not hesitate to adjust our plans based on current COVID-19 conditions and guidance from local, state and federal health officials.
Staying Safe: Testing & Protocols
When the day comes that everyone returns to campus, we should expect to continue following all UTRGV health and safety protocols, including the proper use of face-coverings until further notice. Though new infection numbers remain volatile, the overall trend across Texas indicates that the vaccines are working.
Despite these promising results, the recent confirmation of a more contagious variant in our region is a reminder that the virus is still out there. If you develop symptoms, were in close contact with someone who tested positive, or even tested positive yourself, you need to follow the COVID-19 Screening and Reporting process.
In closing, these vaccines and the expanded availability to all people aged 16 and older will only help expedite our return to normal operations. While I am optimistic about achieving our goals, we still have work to do. Returning to campus requires a commitment to safety and success from each of us. Please do your part to ensure everyone can have the opportunity to pursue their unique UTRGV experience.
I look forward to seeing all of you on campus soon.
Sincerely,
Guy Bailey
UTRGV President