OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

July 16, 2021

ALL STUDENTS, ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (Including UC San Diego Health)

UC Issues Final COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

After an extensive consultation period that found strong support within the university community for moving forward with a COVID-19 vaccination requirement, UC’s final policy regarding required COVID-19 vaccinations has been approved. Students should review the frequently asked questions for students about UC's COVID-19 vaccination policy for more information. There is also a comprehensive set of frequently asked questions about the policy for employees that address many questions and concerns.

UC’s approach to required COVID-19 vaccinations can be summarized as follows:

For the safety and well-being of the entire university community, the policy will require, with few exceptions, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus before they will be allowed on campus or in a facility or office.
Individuals will be required to show proof of vaccination, and UC locations are preparing for how they will record individual vaccination status.
For campuses, compliance with the policy will be required two weeks before faculty, staff and students are expected to be on campus for the fall term.
The policy will allow for medical exemptions consistent with CDC guidance and manufacturer labeling on contraindications and precautions. As with other policies, and, in the case of employees as required by federal and California law, faculty, staff and students will also be eligible to request accommodations based on disability or religious belief, and deferrals are available for those who are pregnant.
Those with approved exemptions, accommodations or deferrals may return to their location with the requirement that they will follow campus guidelines for reducing the transmission of COVID-19, which may include measures such as masking and compliance with the local testing plan.
Students and employees who choose not to be vaccinated, and have no approved exemption, accommodation or deferral, potentially put others’ health at risk and may face disciplinary actions.

Guidelines for how the policy will be implemented system wide are being finalized and are expected to be issued by the Office of the President in the next few weeks. Compliance plans for each campus will then be finalized. Compliance action steps for UC San Diego employees and students will be disseminated in the weeks following.