Vaccinations

I think the biggest difference between the COVID vaccine and other vaccines is the "fully vaccinated" status. USMA just sent out a letter to be vaccinated for COVID by 13 Jun so that they are "fully vaccinated" by R-Day. It sounds like USAFA is on track to make that decision as well. CVW required being vaccinated 2 weeks prior to attendance as well, correct? If this is the case for USNA's I-Day, they will inform appointees. Other missing vaccinations will probably just be given on-site as they have been in the past.

As for passports, we just applied for our two eldest boys in Oct and got them in 6 weeks. Non-expedited, 1st time passports.
 
I know many have had reactions to the 2nd dose of Moderna and Pfizer (and the booster) so if it's inevitable that you're getting it I'd think anyone going into the summer at a service academy would be best served by getting it sooner rather than later and not having to either power through feeling unwell unnecessarily or being out of commission for a day.
 
DS did not need a passport prior to reporting for I Day in 2021. However we started the process before he left and it arrived in the fall. We hand delivered it then during a visit. The passport will be needed at some point and it is much easier to start the process while home and you have access to parents for help. Once you report to USNA, your ability to do even certain becomes impossible due to restrictions. Plebes can only leave the yard on Saturdays and do not have cars. For example, DS broke his phone last fall and had to live without one for almost two weeks before he could get to the local Verizon store. Since phones are used as primary communications path he struggled but survived. Again, stuff is just harder to get done at the Yard---schedules are full of mando events, leave is limited, etc.
 
Boosters are not required. The DoD has not mandated boosters for anyone, and the academy cannot require something that goes against current DoD guidance.
 
Is there an updated list of required vaccines? We are wanting to get any missed ones done before IDay. I found a list on the internet but it says it's from 2016.
 
USNA34 said:
Is there an updated list of required vaccines? We are wanting to get any missed ones done before IDay. I found a list on the internet but it says it's from 2016.
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They send you that information.
 
This is the link to keep an eye on when the info changes from 2025 to 2026.

You can still get a fairly good idea of required vaccinations, which usually don’t change much from year to year, exclusive of COVID-19.

www.usna.edu

Permit to Report

Permit to Report page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Jul 06 08:59:16 EDT 2021.
www.usna.edu
 
Capt MJ said:
This is the link to keep an eye on when the info changes from 2025 to 2026.

You can still get a fairly good idea of required vaccinations, which usually don’t change much from year to year, exclusive of COVID-19.

www.usna.edu

Permit to Report

Permit to Report page for Admissions at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Jul 06 08:59:16 EDT 2021.
www.usna.edu
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Thank you! Some really great information on here! I appreciate you sharing this info.
 
gonavy14 said:
Boosters are not required. The DoD has not mandated boosters for anyone, and the academy cannot require something that goes against current DoD guidance.
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A booster was required for the CWV. They consider fully vaccinated as the first 2 (or 1 J&J) and the Booster. The booster had to be at least a week before the visit.
 
Morrisiv said:
A booster was required for the CWV. They consider fully vaccinated as the first 2 (or 1 J&J) and the Booster. The booster had to be at least a week before the visit.
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Apples and oranges. USNA can set policy regarding civilians visiting the Yard and the Brigade. Policies for uniformed personnel will be coordinated and consistent with DoD policy, including for incoming plebes.

A current mid will likely know the latest. It’s dynamic.
 
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Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread so far...
In the "Understanding_of_Medical_Readiness" document for accepted offers, it says the following:

"All Service Members in the Department of Defense (DoD) are required to comply with applicable medical readiness requirements. One such requirement is that upon arrival at Initial Entry Training, all Service Members must receive, if not already inoculated, immunizations required by the Joint Regulation for Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and other applicable DoD guidance. These vaccinations include but are not limited to COVID-19, Meningococcal. Measles/Mumps/Rubella, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, and varicella. Applicants for military service and Service Members may seek an exemption from vaccination requirements based on a qualifying medical or religious basis from the military service concerned. Should an exemption be denied, the member will be required to comply with applicable medical readiness requirements.”

Pretty clear.

However it doesn't give any instruction as to how to go about requesting an exemption for any of the vaccines it lists. Anyone have any experience or knowledge to share in that regard? Thanks again, everyone!
 
GottaServe2026 said:
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread so far...
In the "Understanding_of_Medical_Readiness" document for accepted offers, it says the following:

"All Service Members in the Department of Defense (DoD) are required to comply with applicable medical readiness requirements. One such requirement is that upon arrival at Initial Entry Training, all Service Members must receive, if not already inoculated, immunizations required by the Joint Regulation for Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and other applicable DoD guidance. These vaccinations include but are not limited to COVID-19, Meningococcal. Measles/Mumps/Rubella, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis, and varicella. Applicants for military service and Service Members may seek an exemption from vaccination requirements based on a qualifying medical or religious basis from the military service concerned. Should an exemption be denied, the member will be required to comply with applicable medical readiness requirements.”

Pretty clear.

However it doesn't give any instruction as to how to go about requesting an exemption for any of the vaccines it lists. Anyone have any experience or knowledge to share in that regard? Thanks again, everyone!
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Vaccines work … I don’t want to hear anything more about vaccines.
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I would contact Admissions if you are contemplating a religious accommodation. Just understand the Navy has not approved any religious accommodation for the COVID 19 vaccination (I think 2500+ were submitted) - can’t speak to other vaccines. Additionally, if there are no alternatives to a vaccine (which I believe is almost all cases), it will be disapproved. At that point, refusing the vaccination will mean no I-day.
 
GottaServe2026 said:
However it doesn't give any instruction as to how to go about requesting an exemption for any of the vaccines it lists. Anyone have any experience or knowledge to share in that regard? Thanks again, everyone!
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There is a pretty clear-cut and well-established process for exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine for the Navy that's documented in a pile of long, wordy messages and orders. Don't bother trying to figure it out on your own, and go directly to USNA with your questions.

You need official guidance from admissions and commandant staff if you are going to go this route. Do not try to internet/sea lawyer this one and do not take anecdotal evidence (MIDN, officers not currently on staff, or otherwise)--your situation is not the same as anyone else's.
 
My parents are not vaccinated and don't plan on it, would they not be allowed on the yard for I-day or Parents Weekend?
 
USNA Yard visitor policy.

Keep up with this page:
www.usna.edu

Coronavirus Guidance

Coronavirus Guidance page for U.S. Naval Academy Coronavirus Guidance at USNA.edu. Updated Mon May 15 10:16:30 EDT 2023.
www.usna.edu

Be prepared to be flexible, as always. USNA can expand or contract access as they see fit. Right now, visitors are allowed, proof of vaccination not required. I am talking general visitation, not CVW, etc.

If there is an outbreak in the Brigade or a shift in COVID-19 policy or perceived threat (of any kind, this includes anti-terrorism, etc.), USNA leadership will circle the wagons around uniformed folks and take the utilitarian approach, doing what is required to bring a new class onboard without all the fun fluff of parent-centric events, public oaths, Yard-wandering, etc.

All it really takes to bring an appointee in the door is issue them their gear and ID, get them dressed, take care of any required immunizations, collect required paperwork, execute required signature items, raise hand, repeat oath given by a commissioned officer, go be a plebe, family not required - at the starkest level of required actions.
 
G0navybeat@rmy said:
My parents are not vaccinated and don't plan on it, would they not be allowed on the yard for I-day or Parents Weekend?
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I was on the Yard in the fall. The guards at gate 1 do not check for your vaccination status...so your parents would be able to attend I Day. This could change. I attended an Alumin event on the Yard (I am not an alumni), at an indoor facility and everyone had to show proof of vaccination. I day there is not much going on besides the late afternoon meet up. Parents weekend there are some great activities to attend. Not sure how USNA will handle that. With all of that said, my speculation is they would be able to go on the yard, where they can go MAY be limited, but I doubt it at this point. As stated above, all of this is very fluid and may change, in either direction, at any time. Tell your parents to get their DBIDs card. This gives them easier acces to the Yard and allows them to drive on.
 
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