This message is sent on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, Health Services and the Office of Emergency Management.
The Rhode Island Department of Health has opened eligibility for anyone age 16 and older today at all vaccination sites if they live, work or go to school in Rhode Island. At this time, we encourage all community members who have not yet been vaccinated to make an appointment at one of the state, regional, or retail pharmacy locations.
All URI students eligible
At this time, all URI students, including those from out of state, are eligible for vaccinations at the locations found at www.vaccinateri.org or at retail pharmacies. For a list of links to all vaccination opportunities, please go to https://covid.ri.gov/vaccination or stop by the tent outside the URI testing center at the Memorial Union for more information. Several local sites exist for vaccination including the Schneider Electric site in West Kingston, as well as CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Stop & Shop and independent pharmacies. However, capacity may be limited locally. If you have transportation, please consider increasing your search area for greater appointment availability.
RIPTA offering free rides to vaccination sites
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is offering free transportation to and from vaccination sites. For more information, call 401-781-9400 or e-mail customerservice@ripta.com. For RIPTA routes to state-run vaccination sites, see: https://www.ripta.com/covid-19-vaccination-sites-state-run/.
The University encourages all community members to make appointments for this very important step in controlling COVID-19 and allowing all of us to return to a near-normal fall. The vaccines are safe and effective and have been subject to rigorous testing to meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization requirements.
While the vaccination developments are great news for Rhode Island and URI, the University community must continue to follow health and safety guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the health department.
By following the rules on mask-wearing, physical-distancing, hand-washing, staying home when you are sick and participating in the mandatory bi-weekly surveillance testing, we can finish the semester healthy and together. We thank you for all of your efforts this entire academic year.