IT'S TIME FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS! -- PART 1
We have officially updated our Covid-19 policy for Charmed!2024!
Here it is, in its long, long glory:
The newest covid-19 vaccine update has been evaluated and released for use in the United States to people aged 5 years and older for Fall 2023. People can get the vaccination if it has been at least 2 months since their last vaccination for Covid-19. This monovalent, single shot vaccine replaces the bivalent vaccine, which is no longer authorized for use. People who have not previously been vaccinated for Covid-19 are considered “up to date” with their vaccinations after receiving this single dose.
This vaccine update is free under most insurance plans in the United States (including Medicaid and Medicare), and will be offered for free in the United States through December 31, 2024 through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program for people who do not have insurance. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html
People who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 may wait 3 months before getting the updated vaccine.
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGY: Previously, people who received the initial Covid-19 vaccination schedule of 1 primary shot and 2 boosters were considered “fully vaccinated”, however, if they did not received the subsequent bivalent which has been offered in the United States from September, 2022 then they were not considered “up to date”. “Up to date” replaces “fully-vaccinated” as the terminology for desired vaccination status. A person who is “up to date” with their vaccinations beginning September, 2023 is a person who has received the latest updated vaccine, released in September, 2023. This vaccine is now officially the only option available in the United States.
Vaccinations typically take two weeks to reach full efficacy; therefore for the purposes of Charmed!2024 vaccinations will be considered valid if they are received by or before December 27, 2023.
In-person attendees of Charmed!2024 will be required to show proof of “up to date” vaccination received in good time – that is, they must show proof that they have received the Fall 2023 vaccine update by or before December 27, 2023. Proof may be in the form of one of the following: official paper vaccine card, electronic vaccine card, photocopy or digital representation of official vaccine card, website listing your name/vaccination date, dated email for an applicable vaccination appointment, a photograph of some part of the vaccination process (eg. the vial of serum), or other applicable media. If you are unsure that your form of proof will be valid, please contact us before arriving at the event. Proof of vaccination will be verified at badge pick-up.
You can contact us using one of the following ways:
Contact us through Charmed! social media:Â
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharmedHypno
Fetlife: https://fetlife.com/groups/121240?sp=1
Tumblr:Â Â https://www.tumblr.com/charmedhypnoÂ
Bluesky: https://charmedhypnocon.bsky.social/
People who are unable to get the updated Covid-19 vaccine for a three month period ending with the final day of Charmed!2024 (January 14th, 2024) due to a previous Covid-19 infection will be considered “up to date” for the purposes of in-person attendance.Â
IMPORTANT: if you have a Covid-19 infection that results in you being able to get the updated vaccine within the two week time period before Charmed!2024 begins – that is, December 28th through January 10th – you will not be considered “up to date” with your vaccination and will be ineligible to attend Charmed!2024 in person.Â
PLEASE NOTE: the three month waiting period is a CDC recommendation (they use the word “may” not “must”) so it may be possible for people to get the updated vaccine within that time period.
NOTE: At this time, Canada and much of Europe have started or will soon start offering the updated vaccine as well. It appears that in the UK they are limiting vaccine availability to “eligible groups including care home residents, over-65s, front-line health and social care workers, and those at clinical risk”, and Australia has no official schedule available at this time. This information will be updated in this policy as it changes. If you are not a United States resident and are having difficulty receiving your updated vaccine for fall 2023, please contact us using one of the above methods.
In-person attendees at Charmed!2024 will be required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of badge pick-up, (over the counter test is okay), in picture form in order to pick up their badge. Attendees traveling from overseas must show proof of a negative test taken within 120 hours of badge pick-up. Attendees from Canada are not considered overseas attendees. Attendees can, if they desire, take a test at badge pick-up, however; we would prefer that you do it beforehand and just show a picture of your negative test result.
In-person attendees at Charmed!2024 will be required to wear well-fitting, high quality masks, such as N95s or KN94s at all times while in official convention space. This includes both the private convention area as well as the semi-public registration area. Examples of unacceptable masks include: bandanas, gaiters, and scarfs. Presenters and demo-bottoms may choose to remain unmasked only while actively presenting. There are no exceptions for evening social events and dungeon play. A small number of masks may be available via Convention Operations for people who need them; however, we cannot guarantee this so please do your best to procure your own.
In 2023, we did not require that attendees test daily. However, as in 2023, we are highly recommending that people test daily before entering convention space. Over the counter tests are excellent at detecting a viral load in someone who is contagious, and are currently the best way for people to determine if they need to isolate themselves. Convention Operations may have a small number of tests available for people who need them; please do not count on this and do your best to procure your own.
Charmed!2024 is committed to providing as safe an environment as possible for our attendees. This may mean that our vaccination/mask requirements are stronger/stricter than those of other events or organizations. We understand that this can be frustrating, and we appreciate your adherence to these policies that are for the benefit of every attendee at Charmed!2024.
