Vaccinations

At Verto Education, the health and safety of our students is a core priority. Student and family preparations play a big role in ensuring Verto students are able to have life-changing experiences without interruption. So, what can you do now to prepare? Below, you’ll find information about Verto’s vaccination requirements and some suggestions to help you prepare for your semester abroad.

Verto would like to stress that it does not make official medical recommendations, and the information on this page and throughout our website is in no way intended and should not be interpreted as medical advice. We encourage you to consult your own professional medical practitioner with any questions about our vaccination policies.

Pro-Tip: Lead-time is important with certain vaccinations. Some immunizations involve a series of treatments spanning several weeks. We suggest initiating your vaccinations at least eight weeks prior to your departure date.

Policy Requirements

All students who participate in Verto Education global programs during the 2021-2022 academic year must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with a vaccination approved by the US Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) (or granted FDA emergency use authorization). Verto is only able to consider medical or religious exemptions to our vaccination policy where country-specific COVID travel restrictions allow. Currently,  travel restrictions do not allow Verto to consider unvaccinated students in any program location. Verto students and staff are required to adhere to government-mandated COVID-19-related travel restrictions and protocols – specific to their program location – throughout the course of the semester.

Note: Students who are not vaccinated are not permitted to participate in Verto Education programs as of September 01, 2021. Verto is not able to accommodate medical or religious exemptions in our current semester locations as of January 19th, 2022.

Rationale for Policy Requirement

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Studies have shown they prevent severe illness and death from the virus, and greatly reduce the likelihood of virus transmission and spread. Like hundreds of colleges and universities across North America, Verto is following public health guidance and the advice of our medical experts by requiring vaccination in the broad majority of our global programs. This approach allows Verto to provide safe and healthy environments for our students abroad, limit the potential for Verto programs to contribute to community transmission and outbreaks in our program locations, and ensure student access to community-based events, locations and program excursion activities. Verto programs are intentionally-designed learning environments where students live and grow together across classroom and campus settings, community-based activities and local excursions. Verto’s vaccination policy supports our commitment to keeping program classrooms, residences, and communities safe.

Employee COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Vaccination is currently required for all Verto staff members who participate in on-site activities alongside students in global program locations. As of Fall 2021, all on-site faculty and staff are required to show proof of vaccination before the semester start date.

Verto Education Mask Requirements

Consistent with CDC recommendations by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, masks are required in all shared, indoor communal spaces on campus wherein social distancing is not possible. Verto requires face masks to be worn by all students and staff while using public transportation, or while using private transportation associated with program activities. Verto monitors campus spaces and program activities throughout the semester, and adjusts mask requirements in accordance with evolving public health guidance.