Health Advisories

• Vaccination Requirements for Students

  • All students are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on their initial course of vaccinations and boosters consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. While vaccines are not required at this time as a condition of enrollment, SUNY reserves the authority to change this policy at any time because of changes in local conditions or due to requirements imposed by federal, state or local authorities.

  • Students enrolled in any program or course or who are participating in a clinical or internship held at a third-party location must continue to comply with all health and safety guidelines, including any vaccination or testing protocols that are in place at the third-party location.

• Vaccine & Testing Requirements for Employees

  While a vaccination requirement does not currently apply to faculty and staff, SUNY Plattsburgh faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated to support the safety of our community.

  Testing Access and Availability

  • Employees should contact their primary care provider or visit the New York State COVID-19 testing website  for PCR testing availability.
• Face Coverings

  Masks are not generally required to be worn on campus or while on the campus shuttle.

  All students, faculty, and staff must follow the masking requirements for activities or instruction delivered at a third-party location.

  • While in the Student Health and Counseling Center, patients with respiratory and gastrointestinal illness will be required to wear masks.

  Some members of our Cardinal community will choose to mask for a number of reasons. This may include immunocompromised conditions. As a mask-friendly campus, we respect and encourage individual decisions around personal health, safety and circumstances.

• Campus Housing & Community Living

  Campus Housing and Community Living is committed to the health and safety of our residential students and will follow all requirements that are in place from the State of New York and the Clinton County Health Department. Students should monitor email and community living web pages for specific move-in and housing procedures.

Mpox FAQs

• What is mpox?

  Mpox is a rare disease caused by infection with the mpox virus. It was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “mpox,” the source of the disease remains unknown.

• How does it spread?

  Mpox does not spread easily between people.

  • You can get mpox from close, skin-to-skin contact with a person who has a rash or scabs from mpox. For example, this can include during hugging, cuddling, a massage, or close contact sports.
  • It also includes contact with spit droplets during close conversation and kissing.
  • It can also spread through sexual contact including touching the genitals, and oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
  • You can also get mpox from contact with objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with mpox.
• Is there a vaccine? 

  Yes, JYNNEOS is a 2-dose vaccine approved for the prevention of mpox. Not everyone requires a vaccination. To learn more about who is currently eligible, visit Mpox Vaccination from the NYS Department of Health.  

  To make an immediate appointment for JYNNEOS, call the Clinton County Health Department at 518-565-4848. 

• What can I do to protect myself?
  • Ask your sexual partners whether they have a rash or other symptoms of mpox, such as fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion.
  • Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash or other mpox symptoms and those diagnosed with mpox.
  • Don’t share bedding, towels, clothing, utensils, or cups with a person with symptoms of mpox.
  • If eligible, get the vaccine.
  • Avoid having sex or intimate contact with anonymous or multiple partners.
• What are the symptoms of mpox?

  People with mpox get a rash that may be located on or near the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus (butt) and could be on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth.

  • The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy. (See photos of mpox rash: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/symptoms.html). 
  • The rash will go through several stages-including scabs-before healing.

  Other symptoms of mpox can include fever with chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle and backaches, respiratory symptoms and headache. Sometimes people have flu-like symptoms before the rash, and sometimes people get the rash first.

• How long do mpox symptoms last?

  Mpox symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. If someone has flu-like symptoms first, they will usually develop a rash 1–4 days later. Mpox can be spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has formed. The illness typically lasts 2–4 weeks.

• I’m experiencing symptoms — what should I do?

  Avoid close contact (including sex or being intimate with anyone) and wear a mask until you have been checked out by a healthcare provider. During the week (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.), students should call the Student Health & Counseling Center at 518-564-2187. We are able and prepared to test for mpox if needed. Students who are experiencing severe symptoms outside of Center hours, should call the Champlain Valley Physicians’ Hospital Emergency Department at 518-561-2000.

• I’ve been diagnosed with mpox — what now?

  Students with mpox who are experiencing fever and/or respiratory symptoms  should isolate away from others. Student Health, in consultation with the CCHD, will provide guidance about where to isolate and for how long.

  Most people improve with mpox without antiviral treatment, and require only symptom management with over-the-counter medications such as Advil or Tylenol.

• I’ve been exposed to mpox. Do I need to quarantine?

  No, but contact Student Health or the CCHD to inquire about the availability of post-exposure vaccine.