Presidential Update - Mandatory Vaccine Resolution from FSM National Government

Please read the following directives from the COM-FSM President’s office in response to FSM Congressional Resolution 22-33 on mandatory vaccinations and the Implementation Decree mandating all individuals and organizations receiving money from the National Government to show evidence of COVID-19 vaccination.

DIRECTIVES – COM-FSM

Vaccination Information

• Congressional Resolution 22-33 states it is mandatory for all FSM citizens to be COVID-19 vaccinated. This includes students above the age of 18. Students should submit copies of their vaccination card to the college nurse by August 30, 2021. Students may request a medical or religious exemption by following the same steps as employees described below. A student choosing not to get vaccinated and with no exemption will be asked to move to online courses.
• FSM President Panuelo has decreed all organizations receiving money from the National Government to show evidence of 100% employee vaccination rates. The college receives both compact and general revenue funds from the National Government. Therefore, each eligible employee at the college must show proof (submit copy of vaccination card to college nurse) of full COVID-19 vaccination by August 30, 2021, unless that employee has an approved medical or religious exemption for not getting vaccinated. Any other employee who does not show proof of full vaccination will be subject to leave without pay until fully vaccinated or emergency health declaration is lifted.
  • Definitions:
    • Fully vaccinated – 2 doses of Moderna or Pfizer; one dose of Johnson & Johnson; or required dose(s) of other available vaccine
    • Eligible person – person age 18 and over unless otherwise indicated by FSM public health (Pfizer is approved for 12 years old and up)

Employees/Students requesting a medical or religious exemption should:

            Medical Exemption

1. Person obtains a written statement from a licensed physician stating the present condition of the person is such that the required immunization(s) would endanger the life or health of the employee.
2. Person submits the medical statement to the college nurse for review.
3. The college nurse approves the request for exemption; files the request in the person’s medical file and informs the person and supervisor of specific restrictions to follow while on a college campus OR the nurse denies the request and informs the person of the reason.
4. If the request is denied, the person has one opportunity re-submit a request with further justification within one week of the denial. The person may re-submit only one time.

Religious Exemption

1. Person provides a written statement explaining the religious conviction against immunization(s) signed by the local senior leader of the religious institution.
2. Person submits the statement to cabinet by email (president@comfsm.fm) or brings the document to the executive secretary, president’s office at National Campus.
3. Cabinet will review the request within 3 working days.
4. Cabinet approves the request for exemption; files the approved request in the person’s file and informs the person and supervisor of specific restrictions to follow while on a college campus OR Cabinet denies the request and informs the person of the reason(s).
5. If the request is denied, the person has one opportunity to re-submit the request with further justification within one week of the denial. The person may re-submit the request only one time.