Covid-19 Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Respiratory Virus Guidance, provides actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The CDC recommends you seek health care promptly for testing and treatment when you are sick if you have risk factors for severe illness, treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness. COVID-19 testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next, such as getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading the virus to others.
Vaccines
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
On June 26, 2024, the University of California released the finalized Policy on Vaccination Programs (attached below). The purpose of this policy is to facilitate protection of the health and safety of the University community, including its patients as well as its students, personnel and all others who work, live, and/or learn in any of the University’s locations or otherwise participate in person in University programs.
The University strongly recommends that all members of the University community stay Up-To-Date with COVID-19 vaccination as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.
The UC Santa Cruz COVID-19 vaccine requirements consist of an opt-out program. Covered Individuals must receive Vaccine Education concerning COVID-19 and vaccination as a preventive measure; and receive COVID-19 vaccination and complete and submit the Up-To-Date on Vaccine self-attestation form. Those who choose to decline COVID-19 vaccination must complete a Vaccine Declination Statement form. Covered Individuals who initially decline COVID-19 vaccination but later decide to become vaccinated may receive the Vaccine at any time and may provide notification.
New personnel must provide proof of being Up-To-Date on COVID-19 vaccination or properly decline such vaccination within 14 calendar days of the first date of employment. If the 14th calendar day after the first date of employment falls on a weekend or University holiday, the deadline will be the next business day that is not a University holiday. Student employees are subject to the deadlines applicable to students.
Vaccine Education is communication of the following information about a Vaccine-preventable illness through any combination of Vaccine Information Statements, other written information, verbal communications, or online or in-person training programs as required.
- The potential health consequences of Vaccine-preventable illness for Covered Individuals, family
members and other contacts, coworkers, patients and the community; - Occupational exposure to Vaccine-preventable disease;
- The epidemiology and modes of transmission, diagnosis, and NPIs (Non-Pharmaceutical
Interventions), consistent with the Covered Individual’s level of responsibility in preventing
Vaccine-preventable infections; - The potential benefits of vaccination; and
- The safety profile and risks of the Vaccine.
COVID-19 Up-To-Date on Vaccines or Vaccine Declination
All employees, including Tier 2-3 volunteers, are required to complete the Up-To-Date on Vaccine Self-Attestation or Vaccine Declination Statement form for Staff, Academic Personnel and Volunteers. If you have questions about the vaccine policy and whether it applies to your situation, you can email incident@ucsc.edu.
For Questions
Contact Cindy Delgado at cadelgad@ucsc.edu or 831-459-1787.
Contact Michelle Söhnlein at msohnlei@ucsc.edu or 831-459-2850.