Frequently Asked Questions
Vaccine Requirements
Testing
Recent Infection
Quarantine & Isolation
International
General
Vaccine Requirements
What are the vaccination requirements to attend the DAMOP 2022 Meeting in person?
All attendees are required to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination prior to the DAMOP Meeting based on the following definition. The following groups are considered up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination:
Individuals who have received their primary series and a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by May 23, 2022
Note: If your booster eligibility falls after the May 23rd deadline but before the start of the meeting (i.e., between May 24 and May 30), we will still accept your vaccine information as long as you receive the booster prior to the meeting. Please receive the booster as soon as you are eligible and send your updated vaccine card to aps@vaccinecheck.us prior to the meeting.
Individuals who received the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna) within the past 5 months (second dose on or after January 30, 2022) and at least two weeks prior to the event (second dose on or before May 23, 2022)
Individuals who received one dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) in the past two months (on or after March 30, 2022) and at least two weeks prior to the event (on or before May 16, 2022).
If I was vaccinated outside of the US, what are the requirements to attend the DAMOP Meeting in person?
International attendees should follow the requirements outlined below for the WHO-evaluated vaccines available to them. Specifically, international attendees in any of the following groups would be considered up to date and are eligible to attend the DAMOP Meeting in person:
- Individuals who have received their primary series and a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine available to them by May 23, 2022
- Individuals who received the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sinovac, COVAXIN, Covovax, Nuvaxovid) within five months of arrival at the DAMOP Meeting (second dose on or after January 30, 2022) and at least two weeks prior to the event (on or before May 16, 2022)
- Individuals who received one dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) in the past two months (on or after March 30, 2022) and at least two weeks prior to the event (on or before May 16, 2022)
Which COVID-19 vaccines will be accepted to meet the DAMOP Meeting vaccination requirements?
Any COVID-19 vaccine that meets the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for safety and efficacy is acceptable for the DAMOP Meeting. Check the APS website for a comprehensive list of WHO-evaluated vaccines that will be accepted for this meeting.
What if my vaccine is not on the dropdown list in VaccineCheck?
APS is accepting WHO-evaluated vaccines for the DAMOP Meeting, which are all listed in VaccineCheck. However, some vaccines are referred to using different names across countries. If you do not see your vaccine in the dropdown list, check the APS website for a comprehensive list of WHO-evaluated vaccines and their alternative names to determine the appropriate selection.
If I have not received a booster but was previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, am I considered up to date?
No, attendees who are eligible for a booster dose will need to receive one to meet the DAMOP Meeting in-person attendance requirements, regardless of a previous COVID-19 infection or differing definitions of vaccination status by country. All attendees are required to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination(s) prior to the DAMOP Meeting based on the following definition. The following groups are considered up to date:
- Individuals who have received their primary series and a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine available to them by May 23, 2022, regardless of a recent infection by May 23, 2022.
- Individuals who received the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sinovac, COVAXIN, Covovax, Nuvaxovid) within five months of arrival at the DAMOP Meeting (second dose on or after January 30, 2021) and at least two weeks prior to the event (on or before May 16, 2022)
- Individuals who received one dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) in the past two months (on or after March 30, 2022) and at least two weeks prior to the event (on or before May 23, 2022)
Can I attend the meeting in person if I have only received one dose of a two-dose vaccine (i.e., partially vaccinated)?
No, all attendees must meet the APS definition of up to date in order to attend the DAMOP Meeting in person. This requirement applies to all attendees, regardless of previous COVID-19 infection or differing definitions of vaccination status by country.
If I meet the definition of up-to-date but “mix-and-match” COVID-19 vaccine brands, will I meet the DAMOP Meeting vaccination attendance requirements?
Yes, “mixing and matching” vaccine brands, such as receiving a primary series of Pfizer and then a booster dose of Moderna, is acceptable as long as attendees meet the following definition of up to date. The following groups are considered up to date:
- Individuals who have received their primary series and a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine available to them, regardless of a recent infection by May 23, 2022
- Individuals who received the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sinovac, COVAXIN, Covovax, Nuvaxovid) within five months of arrival at the DAMOP Meeting (second dose on or after January 30, 2022) and at least two weeks prior to the event (on or before May 16, 2022)
- Individuals who received one dose of a one-dose COVID-19 vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen) in the past two months (on or after March 30, 2022) and at least two weeks prior to arrival at the event (on or before May 16, 2022)
If I am eligible for a booster, what is the deadline for receiving a booster dose to meet the in-person attendance requirements for the DAMOP Meeting?
It is recommended that attendees who are eligible for a booster dose but have not yet received one, to do so as soon as possible. Once you have received your booster dose, you are considered up to date, fulfilling the requirements for in-person attendance of the DAMOP Meeting. For administrative purposes, please receive a booster dose by May 23, 2022, to allow for adequate verification time in VaccineCheck.
What if my booster eligibility falls during the DAMOP Meeting?
As long as you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations at the start of the DAMOP Meeting, you will be eligible to attend in person. We understand that in rare instances, some attendees could become eligible for a booster dose during the event (i.e., between May 30 and June 3), but do not expect those attendees to obtain a booster shot during the conference if it coincides with them becoming eligible for a booster. For administrative purposes, all eligible attendees should receive a booster dose by May 23, to allow for adequate verification time in VaccineCheck.
Will APS accept exemptions from the vaccine requirements, such as a medical or religious exemption?
No, APS will not accept attendee exemptions from vaccine requirements for in-person attendees. This includes all religious, medical, and other exemptions, regardless of whether you have received an exemption from your employer, academic institution, or any other governing body. Attendees who are unable to receive a vaccine or otherwise unable to meet these requirements are encouraged to join the DAMOP Meeting virtually.
What do I do if I already registered to attend in person, but no longer meet the vaccine requirements for entry or no longer wish to attend in person?
Please contact registrar@aps.org to change your registration from an in-person registration to a virtual registration. Attendees will receive the appropriate refund for any difference in registration costs. The deadline to make this switch is May 23, 2022.
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Testing
What are the testing requirements for the DAMOP Meeting?
A negative COVID-19 test result prior to arrival at the DAMOP Meeting is required for all in-person attendees.
- It is strongly recommended that every in-person attendee take and receive a negative lab-based PCR test no more than 72 hours (3 days) prior to arrival at the meeting location. International travelers who have already fulfilled this recommendation for entry to the US for the meeting would not need to receive an additional negative COVID-19 test result in the same 72-hour window.
- If you are unable to obtain a PCR test, APS recommends a rapid antigen test taken at a pharmacy or using an at-home test conducted within 24 hours prior to arrival at the DAMOP Meeting.
- There will also be rapid testing available on-site.
What types of COVID-19 tests are required for the DAMOP Meeting?
The following testing methods are required for the DAMOP Meeting:
- Lab-based PCR test (also known as RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, or NAAT) performed at a qualified healthcare provider (i.e., pharmacy, healthcare center, university testing service) within 72 hours prior to arrival at the meeting
- Rapid antigen test performed at a qualified healthcare provider (i.e., pharmacy, healthcare center, university testing service) within 24 hours prior to arrival at the meeting
- Any at-home antigen test conducted within 24 hours prior to arrival at the meeting
Will I have to be tested for COVID-19 during the DAMOP Meeting?
In order to support safer collaboration at the meeting, APS requires a negative COVID-19 test result prior to arrival at the event from all in-person attendees.
During the event, attendees will not be required to perform additional testing unless asked to do so by the APS COVID-19 team. There may be circumstances in which you are asked to receive a test during the event, including but not limited to:
- You had close contact with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case
- You begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms during the event
Rapid antigen testing will be available on site during the DAMOP Meeting at the attendees’ cost of $50 per test.
Do I need to upload a copy of my COVID-19 test results to enter the DAMOP Meeting?
No, rather you will be asked to ender information about your COVID-19 test results. Testing is required.
Will there be onsite COVID-19 testing available for attendees during the DAMOP Meeting?
APS will provide onsite rapid antigen testing services throughout the event, at the attendees’ cost of $50 per test.
PCR testing will not be provided onsite, but is available and offered at other local locations including pharmacies, healthcare centers, and private vendors.
If needed, you can find a local testing site using the following website.
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Recent Infection
If I contract COVID-19 before the DAMOP Meeting, can I still attend?
An attendee cannot attend the DAMOP Meeting in-person until all the following have occurred:
- at least 10 days have passed since COVID-19 symptoms first appeared, and;
- at least 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100.4°F or higher has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medications, and;
- COVID-19 symptoms have improved.
If you were asymptomatic and tested positive for COVID-19, you cannot attend the DAMOP Meeting in-person until:
- at least 10 days have passed since the date of the positive test.
What if I think I had COVID-19 recently, but was unable to get tested to confirm?
If you think you had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, you should ensure that all of the following has occurred:
- at least 10 days have passed since COVID-19 symptoms first appeared, and;
- at least 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100.4°F or higher has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medications, and;
- COVID-19 symptoms have improved.
If you meet these requirements, it is recommended that you take a rapid antigen test instead of a PCR test to ensure the safety of fellow attendees.
I recently recovered from COVID-19 and it is not recommended that I take a PCR test for 90 days. How can I meet the testing requirements for entry.
If you tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days, you should ensure that all of the following has occurred:
- at least 10 days have passed since COVID-19 symptoms first appeared, and;
- at least 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100.4°F or higher has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medications, and;
- COVID-19 symptoms have improved.
If you were asymptomatic and tested positive for COVID-19, you cannot attend the DAMOP Meeting in-person until:
- at least 10 days have passed since the date of the positive test.
Once you meet these requirements, you will need the following to fulfill the DAMOP Meeting testing requirement:
- Receive a negative antigen test result (not a PCR test)
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Quarantine & Isolation
Can I still attend the DAMOP Meeting if I came into contact with a COVID-19 case?
Out of an abundance of caution, APS recommends that any person who has had close contact with a COVID-19 case in the last 5 days attend the meeting virtually.
If I feel sick but test negative for COVID-19, can I still attend the DAMOP Meeting.
If you test negative, but have symptoms of COVID-19, you should isolate away from others and not attend the DAMOP Meeting in-person. APS hopes to prevent the spread of all illnesses at the DAMOP Meeting, including COVID-19, and requests that anyone feeling sick does not attend the event in person. We also recommend contacting your healthcare provider about your symptoms, follow-up testing, and isolation duration.
If I feel sick during the DAMOP Meeting, what do I do?
If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms (i.e., sore throat, congestion or runny nose, fatigue, fever or chills, headache, cough, muscle or body aches, shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea) during the meeting:
- If present in the meeting, you should immediately leave the meeting and refrain from attending any further meeting events or activities. Immediately contact the APS COVID-19 team via email at safemeetings@aps.org for further instructions. You should avoid coming into close contact with other persons and continue to wear an approved face covering.
If you are not presently at the meeting, you should self-isolate and not attend any further meeting events or activities, and should contact the APS COVID-19 team at safemeetings@aps.org (mailto:safemeetings@aps.org) for further instructions.
What if I am experiencing few or mild COVID-19 symptoms?
Even if you are only experiencing one or two COVID-19 symptoms or your symptoms are mild, you should immediately notify the APS COVID-19 team at safemeetings@aps.org. Fully vaccinated and boosted individuals are more likely to experience mild COVID-19 symptoms if they become infected and may only experience one or few symptoms. However, these individuals could still be spreading the virus to others.
What do I do if I am notified that I had contact with a COVID-19 case during the meeting?
If you are notified that you had close contact with a confirmed or potential COVID-19 case during the meeting, you should self-quarantine and not attend any further meetings or activities until the appropriate next steps are determined based on the potential COVID-19 case's test results and the APS COVID-19 team’s instructions.
If I contract COVID-19 in Orlando during the DAMOP Meeting, what do I do?
An attendee who tests positive for COVID-19 during the DAMOP Meeting in Orlando cannot attend any further in-person meeting events or activities and should self-isolate until all the following have occurred:
- at least 10 days have passed since COVID-19 symptoms first appeared, and;
- at least 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100.4°F or higher has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medications, and;
- COVID-19 symptoms have improved.
If you were asymptomatic and tested positive, you cannot attend any further in-person meeting events or activities and should self-isolate until:
- at least 10 days have passed since the date of the positive test.
During this time, attendees are still welcome to participate in meeting activities virtually.
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International
Are there any additional requirements for international attendees who will attend the DAMOP Meeting in person?
Members planning to travel to the DAMOP Meeting from outside the US may be subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions or additional guidelines as required by US federal, state, and local governments. Attendees should check applicable travel requirements frequently to ensure they are permitted to travel to the US for the DAMOP Meeting and follow any requirements for entry (i.e., vaccination, testing, quarantine) and returning home.
If I contract COVID-19 in the US, when can I travel home?
An attendee cannot travel internationally until all the following have occurred:
- at least 10 days have passed since COVID-19 symptoms first appeared, and;
- at least 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medications, and;
- COVID-19 symptoms have improved.
If you were asymptomatic and tested positive for COVID-19, you should not travel until:
- at least 10 days have passed since the date of the positive test.
Attendees should also be aware of any additional travel requirements for their airlines and entry into their respective countries.
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General
I don’t have a smartphone to access the VaccineCheck system. How do I fulfill the meeting entry requirements?
If you do not have a smartphone to access the VaccineCheck system, you can complete the vaccination verification and daily health check by computer using the links provided by APS or you can contact safemeetings@aps.org for an alternative process.
If I want to bring a guest, will they be responsible for meeting the requirements?
Yes, all attendees including guests must create an account and register themselves to provide all the personal documentation and fulfill all attendance requirements similar to any other attendee.