COVID-19 Vaccines

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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

Fact check: COVID-19 vaccinated people don’t ‘shed’ viral particles

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:

  • 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.

Flu Vaccination Information

University of California flu vaccine requirement
According to the “Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program” attachment within the UC Policy on Vaccination Programsall covered students, faculty, other academic appointees and staff are requiredto get vaccinated against influenza or opt out for the FY 2023-2024 . The deadline to provide this information to UCR is December 1, 2023.

While the requirement applies to those who will be living, learning, or working on campus, all members of the campus community - and their families - are strongly encouraged to get the flu vaccination. Those employees with an approved 100% remote work agreement on file do not need to submit their vaccine status. 


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


How to provide your flu vaccine information to campus
Please note that your Medical Clearances record will show as "non-compliant" until you either provide your flu vaccine information or indicate you have declined the seasonal flu vaccine as instructed below. 

Starting in December, all employees have access to the Student Health Center’s immunization record system. Employees can log into the portal via standard campus multifactor authentication (MFA). This secure system is isolated to only information provided by the employee and does not connect to other health records an employee may have at other healthcare locations.

Employees and Students

  • Employees and Students

    Employees

    • Click on the patient portal link:  Patient portal.
    • Click on the third blue box “View My Medical Clearances/Vaccination Records” in the center of the page
    • On the next screen, Click the green “Update” button in the “Influenza Immunization” section
    • Enter the date you received your flu vaccine and select “Flu whole (Influenza - Seasonal)” in the drop-down menu.
    • Click “Done” and your information will be saved. You do not need to upload a copy of your flu vaccination record.
  • Students

    Student
    For any questions/contact submit immunization questions and comments through the patient portal. Choose Messages, create New Message and choose the "Immunization Mandate Staff" option.

    Student Link: Patient portal

    • Log in to the patient portal (chconline.ucr.edu) using your UCR NetID
    • Go to medical clearances section
    • Choose influenza vaccine
    • Click on add immunization button.
    • Enter the date and type of flu vaccine
    • Click the done button.

How to Decline the Flu Vaccine

Employees and Students:
NOTE: By declining the seasonal flu vaccination, employees and students must review the flu education information found below and should wear a mask while on campus for the duration of the 2023-2024 influenza season that last until March 2024.

  • Employees

    Employees 
    Starting in December, all employees have access to the Student Health Center’s immunization record system. Employees can log into the portal via standard campus multifactor authentication (MFA). This secure system is isolated to only information provided by the employee and does not connect to other health records an employee may have at other healthcare locations.

    • Click on the patient portal link:  Patient portal.
    • Click on the third blue box “View My Medical Clearances/Vaccination Records” in the center of the page 
    • On the next screen, scroll down to the Clearance Exemptions section located at the bottom of the page
    • Click on green “Request an Exemption” button. This will take you to the Declination option

    flu_exemption.jpg

     

    • In “select clearance” dropdown list choose Influenza vaccine and click continue
    • Select reason and choose “I have elected to decline influenza vaccination for the current academic year.
    • Click submit and you will see in the clearance exemption section your approved and processed influenza declination exemption. 
  • Students

    Students
    For any questions/contact submit immunization questions and comments through the patient portal. Choose Messages, create New Message and choose the "Immunization Mandate Staff" option.

    Student Link: Patient portal

    Exemption Declination

    • Log in to the patient portal (chconline.ucr.edu) using your UCR NetID
    • Go to medical clearances section
    • Scroll to Clearance Exemptions section located at the bottom of the page
    • Click the Request for Exemption button
    • In “select clearance” dropdown list choose Influenza vaccine and click continue
    • Select reason and choose “I have elected to decline influenza vaccination for the current academic year.”
    • Click submit and you will see in the clearance exemption section your approved and processed influenza declination exemption. 

     

Flu Vaccination Information

What are the benefits of getting the flu vaccine?

  • It can keep you from getting sick with the flu.
  • If you do get the flu after getting the flu vaccine, the symptoms are likely to be less severe.
  • Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization.
  • It helps protect the people around you who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness.
  • For more information on flu vaccine benefits, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website.

Does the flu vaccine work?
According to the CDC, recent studies show that flu vaccines ​generally reduce the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60%. This varies from person to person and season to season. Even if someone gets the flu vaccine and still gets the flu, several studies have shown that people who get the flu vaccine do not get as sick as people who do not get the flu vaccine.
For more information on the flu and flu vaccination this season, please visit the CDC Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions: 2023-2024 Season and the CDC Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Information Statement.

Campus Flu Vaccine Availability
The seasonal influenza vaccine is always highly recommended. Vaccinations are available at local pharmacies and from your medical provider. Flu vaccinations are available at SHS each year for students with USHIP or GSHIP.

Insurance coverage and access to flu shots
All health insurance plans cover influenza vaccinations, though they may place restrictions on where a person can receive the shot for free.

  • Students with the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) can access the flu vaccine at the Student Health Center with 100% coverage. 
  • Students without UC SHIP can call the number on the back of their insurance card to be connected to a healthcare provider or location where flu vaccines are covered by their plan.
  • Faculty and staff should contact their health care provider to learn where to get their flu vaccine.