Verified COVID-19 vaccination records now active to replace testing
June 18, 2021 3:55 PM

Dear undergraduate and graduate students,  

Starting Monday, June 21, if the Safer Illinois app shows your vaccination record as verified, you will no longer be required to submit a saliva sample regularly for compliance and building access. Please read below for more information and directions for submitting your vaccination information through the McKinley Health Center for verification.

If you were vaccinated anywhere other than the McKinley Health Center or CRCE and have already uploaded your Vaccination Record Card and provided consent:

• On Monday, you should receive a status change on your Safer Illinois app that shows your record has been verified. It should also be in place in the Boarding Pass.
• Beginning on Monday, you can also check to see if your record has been verified by visiting the Immunizations section of your MyMcKinley Portal. Select “View History” and then click “Print” and there should be a full list of your verified vaccination records.
• If you uploaded your card and provided consent and you do not see these changes, please check the following before contacting the Wellness Answer Center:
  • Has it been at least three weeks since your submission? It can take up to three weeks for the McKinley Health Center to verify your record by confirming it with university and other vaccination databases.
  • Are you sure you completed your submission? To check, visit the Immunizations section of your MyMcKinley Portal. If it is not displayed there, it may not have been saved, and you may need to submit again.
  • Did you receive an approved COVID-19 vaccine? For building access and compliance, the university is following CDC guidance and accepting vaccines authorized for emergency use by either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization. See more information here.
  • Have you provided a verified English translation if your record is in another language?
  • Is your Safer Illinois app updated? Do you have your Safer Illinois app set to share your Health Provider Test Result and Vaccine information in your settings?
  • If you are required to test, you will need to continue to do so until your COVID-19 vaccine record has been verified.

If you have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in the state of Illinois but have not already uploaded your Vaccination Record Card and provided consent:

• The state immunization data registry will be used to verify your immunization.
• This verification process could take 4-6 weeks, so please be patient.
• When your record has been verified, you will receive a status change on your Safer Illinois. It should also be in place in the Boarding Pass.
• You can also check to see if your record has been verified by visiting the Immunizations section of your MyMcKinley Portal. Select “View History” and then click “Print” and there should be a full list of your verified vaccination records. Although you may see your vaccination record in the McKinley system, your vaccination status may not be immediately reflected in the Safer Illinois app.
• If you are required to test, you will need to continue to do so until your COVID-19 vaccine record has been verified.

If you have been vaccinated for COVID-19 outside the state of Illinois (including in another country) but have not already uploaded your Vaccination Record Card:

• Please submit your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card and provide consent in the MyMcKinley Portal as soon as possible if you want your vaccination to replace regular COVID-19 on-campus testing for compliance and building access.
• Here are instructions to submit and provide consent:
  • Log into the MyMcKinley Portal
  • Click on the “Forms” button in the menu header.
  • Choose “COVID-19 Vaccine Record Consent.”
  • Fill out the form.
  • Upload a photo of your completed COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. (A cell phone image is fine.)
  • Click submit.
• It may take three weeks for the McKinley Health Center to verify your record by confirming it with university and other vaccination databases.
• If you are required to test, you will need to continue to do so until your COVID-19 vaccine record has been verified.

If you have not already been vaccinated for COVID-19:

• Visit vaccinefinder.org to find available appointments or walk-in hours in your local area. 
• If you are not able to access one of the university-accepted vaccines, you will be able to receive an accepted vaccine upon your arrival to campus. See more information here.
• The university acknowledges that some individuals have health conditions or other reasons why they cannot be vaccinated.
• If you are required to test, you will need to continue to do so until your COVID-19 vaccine record has been verified.

If you have reviewed the information above, and you still have questions or concerns, please contact the COVID Wellness Answer Center via email at covidwellness@illinois.edu or call 217-333-1900.

Please note that even individuals who have a verified Vaccination Record Card on file will still have full access to the COVID-19 testing program and may continue testing.

In order to implement COVID-related guidelines and policies affecting university operations, supervisors may ask students if they are fully vaccinated. But no one should ask to see proof of vaccination in someone’s Safer Illinois app. You are required only to show the building access screen, which shows compliance without specifying whether it was through COVID-19 vaccination or regular on-campus testing. This screen does not say if a person is vaccinated or not. University officials should not ask students why they are not vaccinated or any other questions seeking personal health information.

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work through these details of the next phase of COVID-19 pandemic. We anticipate announcing more details about the Fall 2021 semester in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Jones
Chancellor