Stanford
Cardinal at Work

COVID-19 Medical and Religious Accommodation Criteria and Process

Updated 11/23/21

Stanford’s vaccination policy requires all faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they are granted a medical or religious accommodation by the university.

Individuals must upload a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination card into Health Check indicating a single dose of the one-dose COVID vaccine (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) or the second dose of a two-dose COVID vaccine (e.g. Pfizer or Moderna) was administered before or by January 4, 2022. A refusal to be vaccinated does not qualify for an accommodation if it is based upon personal preference, concerns about the possible effects of the vaccine, or political opinions.

Questions? Please direct medical and religious accommodation questions to vphumanresources@stanford.edu.

Requests for medical or religious accommodations require submission of an online request form. A request for a medical accommodation also requires submission of a medical certification from a medical provider. By submitting an online request, the individual will attest that the information submitted is true and correct.

If the circumstances change such that additional health and safety measures are required to protect our community, Stanford reserves the right to alter or revoke approved accommodations.

For medical accommodations:

In accordance with relevant federal and California law, and in accordance with Stanford’s policy on workplace accommodations, faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars may request an accommodation to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement based on a disability or medical condition.

Acceptable criteria for medical accommodations include:

  • Documented history of severe allergic reaction to one or more components of all three currently approved COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen)

  • Documented history of severe or immediate-type hypersensitivity allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, and separate contraindication to other available formulations

  • People who were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, or who were diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome; typically, these patients should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine

  • People with medical conditions (e.g., require significant immunosuppressive treatment, had significant/persistent myocarditis after first dose) that make vaccination either less effective or higher risk at the present time; in these cases, a written recommendation from a qualified physician recommending vaccination deferral will be requested

  • Other unique situations may also qualify

The following conditions do not normally qualify for medical accommodations without extenuating circumstances:

For more information on pregnancy and the COVID-19 vaccine, please refer to this fact sheet

  • History of severe allergic reactions to foods, oral medications, latex, pets, insects, and environmental triggers

  • Previous history of normal vaccine side effects or general avoidance of vaccines

  • History of COVID-19 infection (unless within the last 90 days), or positive antibody screen

  • Concerns that vaccination could exacerbate an autoimmune disorder

  • Trypanophobia (fear of injections or needles)

A completed Medical Certification for COVID-19 Vaccine Accommodation form from your medical provider is required to be submitted with your request.

Download Medical Certification form

NOTE: TO ACCESS THIS FORM, YOU MUST BE LOGGED INTO THE STANFORD GOOGLE WORKSPACE. PLEASE CLICK THE "DOWNLOAD" BUTTON ON THE TOP RIGHT-HAND CORNER OF THE PAGE. DO NOT OPEN THE DOCUMENT AS A GOOGLE DOCUMENT AS YOU WILL LOSE ALL FORMATTING AND WILL BE UNABLE TO VIEW THE FORM CORRECTLY.

Submit a Medical Accommodation Request on ServiceNow

For religious accommodations:

Learn more about religion and the COVID-19 vaccine in this fact sheet.

In accordance with relevant federal and California law, and in accordance with Stanford’s policy on workplace accommodations, faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars may request an accommodation to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement based on a sincerely held religious belief. Please be advised that social, political, or economic philosophies, or personal preferences, are not considered to be religious beliefs.

Submit a Religious Accommodation Request on ServiceNow

Medical and Religious Accommodation Process

University Human Resources--Employee & Labor Relations will evaluate all requests consistent with the accommodation process described in Administrative Guide Memo 2.2.7. Requests for medical and religious accommodations to the vaccine requirement will be carefully reviewed and considered using the criteria outlined above. 

Step One - Request:

The employee is responsible for requesting the accommodation on ServiceNow.

Step Two - Documentation:

You may be required to provide other information as needed to determine if you are legally entitled to an accommodation. It is the employee's responsibility to provide the requested documentation. For medical accommodation requests, a completed Medical Certification for COVID-19 Vaccine Accommodation form from your medical provider is required to be submitted with your request.

Step Three - Evaluation:

Accommodations are determined following an individualized assessment of each request. 

Step Four - Notification:

University Human Resources will provide the employee with written notification of the determination.

An approved medical or religious accommodation supports the university’s compliance with the Executive Order and will require meeting alternative health and safety protocols. If your request is denied, you will receive instructions as to what you must do to comply with the vaccination requirement.