UC COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

New Employees
New employees must attest to being-up-to date with their COVID-19 vaccination or decline the vaccination within 14 calendar days of the first date of employment. Please log onto the employee patient portal Enterprise Health where you can attest or decline the vaccine. 

Current Employees
On June 27, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendation. It recommended that everyone 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccination if it has been at least two months since your last COVID-19 vaccination to protect against potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. Additionally, on August 22, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and authorized the use of updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to target currently circulating variants.

Compliance Deadline: By December 16, 2024, all UCR employees must submit an attestation indicating they have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine or must submit a declination indicating they are choosing not to receive the vaccine. Individuals who choose to decline the vaccine are not required to provide a reason for their declination. Log onto the employee patient portal Enterprise Health to complete your attestation or declination.

Up-to-date is defined as having received all doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). A person need not obtain doses that are authorized but not explicitly recommended by CDC and CDPH in order to be considered up-to-date.

Remote Employees (50% or less)
Compliance is required for both seasonal Influenza (Flu) and COVID19, and you will receive weekly reminders during the vaccine campaign period (October 16 - December 16) until you formally decline or complete the attestation or declination.

100% Remote Employees
Ensure your remote work agreements are in place with HR and reflected in UC Path. You are exempt from vaccine requirements unless your remote status changes.

Support
UCR's COVID-19 Resource Center Liaison is available to answer questions and assist with uploading required documentation for compliance. 
Email: COVID19@UCR.EDU
Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
 

UC Influenza (Flu) Vaccination Requirement

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Requirement
According to the “Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program” attachment within the UC Policy on Vaccination Programs, all covered students, faculty, other academic appointees and staff are required to get vaccinated against influenza or opt out for the FY 2024-2025 . The deadline to provide this information to UCR is December 16, 2024.

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. 

New Employees
For hires post-November 1, 2024, but before May 1, 2025: Compliance is required within 14 days of employment.

Current Employees
By December 16, 2024, all UCR employees must submit an attestation indicating they have received the Influenza (Flu) vaccine or must submit a declination indicating they are choosing not to receive the vaccine. Individuals who choose to decline the vaccine are not required to provide a reason for their declination. Log onto the employee patient portal Enterprise Health to complete your attestation or declination.

Clinical Staff and Faculty
For Staff and Faculty working in a clinical or patient-care areas that decline the Influenza (Flu) vaccine are required to wear a mask.

Remote Employees (50% or less)
Compliance is required for both seasonal Influenza (Flu) and COVID19, and you will receive weekly reminders during the vaccine campaign period (October 16 - December 16) until you formally decline or complete the attestation or declination.

100% Remote Employees
Ensure your remote work agreements are in place with HR and reflected in UC Path. You are exempt from vaccine requirements unless your remote status changes.

Support
UCR's COVID-19 Resource Center Liaison is available to answer questions and assist with uploading required documentation for compliance. 
Email: COVID19@UCR.EDU
Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Reminders:

• Prioritize Self-Care: If you feel unwell or show symptoms, please stay home.
  Report COVID-19 Positive Cases: Use this link to report a positive COVID-19 test if you’ve been at a campus location.
• Stay Informed: Regularly check  COVID-19 Dashboard for updates on campus case statuses.
• Maintain Hygiene: Continue practicing diligent handwashing and respiratory hygiene.
  COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits: Available upon request for faculty and staff.
• Vaccination Notice: This year, UCR will not be hosting on-campus vaccination events. Please obtain your flu and COVID-19 vaccines through your primary care provider or Kaiser.
• Why Vaccinate? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccination against the flu is a proven and effective way to prevent millions of illnesses and thousands of related doctor and hospital visits each year. The CDC also recommends that everyone six months and older receive the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccination if it has been at least two months since your last shot to protect against serious outcomes of COVID-19 this fall and winter.

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 for the COVID-19 vaccine?

  The UC Office of the President (UCOP) has issued a final Policy on Vaccination Programs with interim amendments effective August 16, 2023. The interim revisions moved the University's COVID-19 vaccination program to a systemwide opt-out program for all covered individuals. Here is the June 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.

• Is COVID-19 vaccination mandatory at UCR?

  The UC Office of the President (UCOP) has issued a final Policy on Vaccination Programs with interim amendments effective August 16, 2023. The interim revisions moved the University's COVID-19 vaccination program to a systemwide opt-out program for all covered individuals. Here is the June 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) has issued a final Policy on Vaccination Programs with interim amendments effective August 16, 2023. The interim revisions moved the University's COVID-19 vaccination program to a systemwide opt-out program for all covered individuals. Here is the June 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.
• How do I submit proof of having received an updated COVID-19 vaccine?

  Please navigate to Enterprise Health.

  To access your Employee Health Portal Record.

  Add your immunization by completing the COVID Vaccine Questionnaire found by clicking the Message Center on the home screen login. 
  
  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.  

• If I get vaccinated for COVID-19, 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://ehs.ucr.edu/coronavirus/facecoverings.

• 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?

  For more information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine may be find by visiting the CDC Vaccine & Immunization VIS website.

   

• 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) has issued a final Policy on Vaccination Programs with interim amendments effective August 16, 2023. The interim revisions moved the University's COVID-19 vaccination program to a systemwide opt-out program for all covered individuals. Here is the June 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.
• 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 CDC Information for the 2024-2025 Flu Season and the CDC Influenza (Flu) Vaccine Information Statement.