Feb. 24, 2021: This announcement has been updated to reflect revised guidance regarding the State of California’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution policy.
As we celebrate the development of effective vaccines for COVID-19, the University of California is once again taking the lead in protecting the communities we serve. Across the state, University of California Health (UCH) is ramping up operations at vaccine clinics for their patients and eligible employees – with access increasing as quickly as supplies and state guidelines allow.
Timeline for COVID-19 vaccination
California has updated its approach to vaccine distribution to ensure both speed and equity. The state’s COVID-19 vaccine Phase 1a distribution plan focused on health care workers and long-term care residents and staff. At UCH, 85% of eligible UC health care workers have received a first dose and are in the process of receiving a second. As directed by the state and subject to additional guidance from our county partners, achieving this milestone enables UCH to begin outreach to those in the California Department of Public Health’s Phase 1b, which includes individuals ages 65 years and older. For more information on state-defined priorities, visit covid19.ca.gov.
Please note that UC continues to face serious limitations in vaccine supply. We encourage all employees who want vaccine to take advantage of any opportunity they may have once they are eligible, for example through community vaccine events or their primary care providers, or pharmacies. All of UC’s health plans cover CDC-recommended vaccines administered by an employee’s primary care physician or at a local pharmacy at no cost to you.
Another important update is that the CDC has expanded its guidance on the window of time that an individual can wait for a second dose. This new CDC guidance should alleviate concerns about second appointment availability, especially in light of federal and state indications that more vaccine may be made available in the coming weeks.
For updates about vaccine availability, register on your health plan’s website and on myturn.ca.gov (currently available as a pilot site, with limited capabilities for online appointment booking).
UC’s COVID-19 vaccination policy
President Michael V. Drake, M.D., has approved an interim COVID-19 vaccination policy designed to protect the health and safety of the University community, including patients and faculty, staff, trainees, and others who work or train in any of the University’s locations.
The policy will require all University of California personnel and certain trainees working or learning on-site to participate in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine education when it is available, and either consent to administration of the vaccine or affirmatively opt out of SARS CoV-2 vaccination. This policy supplements, and does not replace, existing policies requiring University personnel, trainees, patients, and visitors to observe non-pharmaceutical interventions including appropriate use of personal protective equipment (or, for patients, visitors and those working outside of health care settings, face coverings or facemasks), physical distancing, and frequent hand washing.
Details are available in the policy document and in a series of Frequently Asked Questions. Information about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine is available in many languages from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and University of California Health.
Each campus or location will be developing location-specific plans and timelines for implementing this policy, and will share details as they are available.