AAIM is continually monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on our ability to provide a safe experience for attendees of Academic Internal Medicine Week 2022 (AIMW22). In particular, the Alliance is continues to actively track the emerging news and science around the virus. AAIM will continue to monitor the situation and will adjust the health and safety protocols as necessary.
To ensure the safety of all attendees, proof of up-to-date vaccination (full primary series and a booster dose when eligible, prior to the event) for COVID-19 will be required for registrants attending AIMW22 in Charlotte, NC. AAIM has contracted with Sharemy.Health to manage the verification process. Detailed instructions about completing vaccine verification provided closer to the meeting. Attendees should be aware that, while AAIM will make every effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on site, it is possible that attendees will come in contact with people in airports, hotels, and around the city who could potentially carry the virus. Please read below to stay informed on the latest updates.
Do I need to be vaccinated to attend AIMW22?
Yes. The safety of meeting attendees is the Alliance’s top priority, and we believe the most effective way to ensure the safety of all attendees is for them to be vaccinated against COVID-19. As such, AAIM will require all participants to be up-to-date on their vaccines as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means vaccine verification includes a requirement for a booster shot (if eligible) for all in-person (e.g. , registrants, speakers, guests, exhibit booth representatives and sponsors, etc.) meeting attendees. Full details on vaccination status definitions can be found online at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html. means having received a full primary series and a booster dose when eligible, prior to the event.
How will AAIM verify my vaccination status?
Prior to arriving on site, attendees will be asked to provide proof that they are up-to-date with vaccination approved by the WHO or FDA. AAIM has contracted with Sharemy.Health to manage the verification process. Detailed instructions will be provided closer to the meeting.
Will everyone at the meeting be fully vaccinated?
In addition to all attendees, all AAIM staff working at the meeting will be up-to-date on their vaccinations; however, AAIM is not legally able to require local convention center staff to be vaccinated. AAIM is working with the Charlotte Convention Center to develop on-site protocols in accordance with the CDC guidelines, including requiring all convention center staff to wear masks.
Do I need to test before arriving at AIMW22?
At this time, the Alliance is not requiring attendees of the AIMW22 to take a COVID-19 test before arriving in Charlotte, NC. Instead, attendees are encouraged to take a test prior to the meeting, especially if they are experiencing any of the potential symptoms of COVID-19.
Will masks be required during the meeting?
The current COVID-19 level community level in Charlotte/Mecklenburg Country, NC, is low. The most recent CDC guidance indicates that if the COVID-19 Community Level is low, then wearing a mask is based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk.
At this time, the Alliance recommends but does not require participants to wear a mask. A complimentary KN95 mask will be provided to each participant at registration. AAIM leaders will continue to monitor the environment and will notify participants of any changes to masking requirements.
Will I have to do anything different during registration in regards to health and safety?
As a condition of registration, all registrants are required to acknowledge they have read and will comply with the Academic Internal Medicine Week 2022 Health and Safety Waiver.
What sanitation efforts will be enforced?
Even though the science now shows that COVID-19 transmission is unlikely to occur from touching surfaces touched by multiple persons (i.e., podiums, etc.), staff will clean these regularly to promote healthy sanitation overall. Hand sanitizer will also be available in multiple locations throughout the meeting space.
What do the different color lanyards mean?
Through a color-coding system for the badge lanyards, attendees will be able to signal their preference for contact (e.g., hugs and handshakes, elbows only, please keep your distance). All conference participants (e.g., attendees, speakers, sponsors/exhibitors, staff, and others) are asked to respect the contact preference of other attendees.
What if I don’t feel well while I’m at the meeting?
If you don’t feel well during the meeting, please stay in your hotel room and do not enter the meeting space. If you take a COVID-19 exam and return a positive result, please email meetings@im.org so that the proper notifications can be made. Your name will be kept confidential. More information on local testing options will be provided closer to the meeting.
What are the local venues doing?
The city of Charlotte and all of the venues associated with AIMW22 have numerous policies in place to promote the health and safety of all patrons visiting their properties. To learn more, please visit the Charlotte Convention Center, Marriott, Hilton, Omni, Mecklenburg County, or State of North Carolina websites.