UC COVID-19 Vaccine and Influenza

Requirements for New Employees:

Employees at the University of California, Riverside, are required to adhere to the University's vaccination policy, which includes both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza vaccines. They must either receive the vaccines or formally decline them annually between September 1st and December 1st. New employees must provide proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or formally decline it within fourteen days of their start date. Those working in healthcare areas may need to follow additional non-pharmaceutical interventions mandated by the County or California Department of Public Health. Compliance involves documenting one's decision via the campus employee Patient Portal by the December 1st deadline. Additional information and details may be found by reviewing:

UC COVID-19 Vaccine and Influenza Requirements for New Employees

COVID-19 Updates

Vaccine Availability

To find a vaccination site in Riverside County, visit the Riverside County Public Health vaccine information page. Visit the Vaccine Finder site for information on vaccine and booster availability in your area. Students may also access vaccines at Student Health Services, adjacent to Lot 15.  To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, please call Student Health Services at 951-827-3031.

COVID-19 vaccine education resources are available here.

Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine upload/Declination 2023-2024

Influenza vaccine Upload process 2023-2024 

Influenza Vaccine Declination Process 2023-2024 

COVID-19 Vaccine Upload Process 2023-2024

COVID-19 Vaccine Declination Process 2023-2024

Vaccine FAQs

• Where can I be vaccinated?

  Employees and students are encouraged to avail themselves of any vaccine that is available to them, whether through county vaccination clinics, personal physicians, or local pharmacies. Visit the Vaccine Finder site for information on vaccine and booster availability in your area. 
  
  Students may also access vaccines at Student Health Services, adjacent to Lot 23.  To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, please call Student Health Services at 951-827-3031.

• How do I request for an exemption ?

  The UC Office of the President (UCOP) is presently in the process of reviewing the UC vaccination policy, with plans to implement updates in August 2023.  As soon as the revised policy is approved, we will swiftly update the information and provide the latest details.  Here is the August letter we received from President Drake regarding important updates on COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the University. The following key points have been highlighted:

  • Each year, students and employees will be required to either receive the COVID-19 vaccination or officially decline it.
  • Documentation of receiving a COVID-19 primary vaccine series will no longer be necessary for students and employees. Consequently, there will be no need for submitting approved medical or religious exceptions, or disability deferrals to access campus facilities.
  • Look out for future communications from the campus regarding the process of attesting or declining the COVID-19 vaccine similarly to the flu vaccine.

  100% remote workers
  If you are approved for 100% remote work, you do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status*. You and your supervisor must complete the Telework Agreement and indicate 100% remote status.
  
  A copy of the Telework agreement must be forwarded to and on file with your HR partner to ensure that UC Path correctly records your work location.
  *At any time, if you plan on coming on to campus, please reach out to your HR partner to provide evidence of vaccination coverage prior to your arrival. You may follow any of the options listed above.

  A copy of the Telework agreement must be forwarded to and on file with your HR partner to ensure that UC Path correctly records your work location.
  *At any time, if you plan on coming on to campus, please reach out to your HR partner to provide evidence of vaccination coverage prior to your arrival. You may follow any of the options listed above.

• Is COVID-19 vaccination mandatory at UCR?

  The UC Office of the President (UCOP) is presently in the process of reviewing the UC vaccination policy, with plans to implement updates in August 2023.  As soon as the revised policy is approved, we will swiftly update the information and provide the latest details.  Here is the May letter we received from President Drake regarding important updates on COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the University. The following key points have been highlighted:

  • Each year, students and employees will be required to either receive the COVID-19 vaccination or officially decline it.
  • Documentation of receiving a COVID-19 primary vaccine series will no longer be necessary for students and employees. Consequently, there will be no need for submitting approved medical or religious exceptions, or disability deferrals to access campus facilities.
  • Look out for future communications from the campus regarding the process of attesting or declining the COVID-19 vaccine similarly to the flu vaccine.
• Are All boosters required?

  The UC Office of the President (UCOP) is presently in the process of reviewing the UC vaccination policy, with plans to implement updates in August 2023.  As soon as the revised policy is approved, we will swiftly update the information and provide the latest details.  Here is the August letter received from President Drake regarding important updates on COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the University. The following key points have been highlighted:

  • Each year, students and employees will be required to either receive the COVID-19 vaccination or officially decline it.
  • Documentation of receiving a COVID-19 primary vaccine series will no longer be necessary for students and employees. Consequently, there will be no need for submitting approved medical or religious exceptions, or disability deferrals to access campus facilities.
  • Look out for future communications from the campus regarding the process of attesting or declining the COVID-19 vaccine similarly to the flu vaccine.
• How do I submit proof of having received a COVID-19 booster?

  Please navigate to Point and Click  

  To access your Employee Health Record.

  Add your immunization information under COVID Vaccine found in “View My Medical Clearances and Vaccine Records.”
  
  More detailed instructions can be found here: Employee Vaccine Guide .
  
  *Acceptable Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination
  •    COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (issued by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention or WHO), which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date doses administered
  •    A photo of a vaccination card as a separate document
  •    A photo of a vaccine card stored on a phone or electronic device
  •    Documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider 
  •    Digital record that includes a QR code that when scanned by a SMART Health Card reader displays to the reader name, date of birth, vaccination dates, and vaccine type.  

• Why should I get vaccinated?

  Please review additional vaccine education materials found here, and videos by Vice Chancellors Deborah Deas and Rodolfo Torres for more information.

• If I get vaccinated do I still need to wear a face covering when on campus?

  Effective May 11, 2023 the CDC will no longer calculate the COVID-19 Community Levels as a result of the sunsetting of the federal public health emergency. As a result, CDPH is sunsetting its Guidance for the Use of Face Masks and is recommending all Californians consider the following:

  • Wear a mask around others if you have respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat),
  • If you've had a significant exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, wear a mask for 10 days.
  • When choosing to wear a mask, ensure your mask provides the best fit and filtration (respirators like N95, KN95 and KF94 are best).  

  In the event of a workplace outbreak at UCR the employees in the exposed group must wear face coverings indoors or outdoors when less than six feet from another person, unless a medical exception applies. Free masks (N-95 and/or surgical) can be requested at: https://campusreturn.ucr.edu/face-coverings.

• Are COVID-19 vaccines safe and do they work?

  Here is more detailed information about the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines from the Central Disease Control (CDC).

• What can I expect after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

  More information about each approved COVID-19 vaccine can be found below:

  • Moderna: English | en español 
  • Pfizer: English | en español
  • Johnson & Johnson: English | en español
• Can I be vaccinated if I recently received another vaccine?

  You may not receive a vaccine if you are currently in isolation for COVID-19, or if you have received another vaccine (e.g. flu, shingles, etc.) within the last 14 days. 

• Do full-time remote employees need to comply with the UC vaccine mandate?

  Employees who work remotely full time must be in compliance with the UC vaccine mandate in order to come to the UCR campus or a UCR owned or operated facility. 

  The UC Office of the President (UCOP) is presently in the process of reviewing the UC vaccination policy, with plans to implement updates in August 2023.  As soon as the revised policy is approved, we will swiftly update the information and provide the latest details.  Here is the May letter we received from President Drake regarding important updates on COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the University. The following key points have been highlighted:

  • Each year, students and employees will be required to either receive the COVID-19 vaccination or officially decline it.
  • Documentation of receiving a COVID-19 primary vaccine series will no longer be necessary for students and employees. Consequently, there will be no need for submitting approved medical or religious exceptions, or disability deferrals to access campus facilities.
  • Look out for future communications from the campus regarding the process of attesting or declining the COVID-19 vaccine similarly to the flu vaccine.