This has been updated from the announcement originally published on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, with clarifying information about the proposed policy change.
Since the University’s COVID-19 vaccine policy was first issued in December 2020, UC has continued to review and adjust UC’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements as public health conditions have evolved. With the changes to federal and state public health guidance and the end of the federal Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023, UC is moving to a systemwide COVID-19 vaccination opt-out program for UC students and employees.
Under the revised policy that will be circulated for review, the University will require students and employees to either receive or affirmatively decline COVID-19 vaccination. It is expected that the revised policy will require covered individuals to be vaccinated consistent with applicable public health recommendations or opt out. Neither the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has yet made a recommendation on the frequency of vaccination.
In the event applicable law or public health orders impose stricter vaccination requirements, such as for health care workers, the policy will continue to require compliance with those stricter requirements.
The Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Updated Interim Amendments will be revised to reflect the new opt-out program and circulated through the policy review process.
The decision to update UC’s policy reflects the welcome fact that UC has entered a very different phase in our response, with more than 88 million COVID-19 vaccines having been administered in California. The CDC continues to recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older be up to date with COVID vaccines.
If you have questions or concerns about the proposed policy change, please direct them to: vaccinepolicycomments@ucop.edu.