To comply with the current UC Immunization Policy, all UCI students (new and returning) are required to receive the most recent COVID-19 Vaccine, available after September 13, 2023. All previously received COVID-19 vaccines, Bivalent Boosters, and Internationally received vaccines will NOT qualify, and your status will be Non-compliant in your Student Health Portal. Click below for more information:
- https://www.ucop.edu/coronavirus/index.html
- https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy
- COVID-19 Isolation Guidance (ca.gov)
For those students with a medical or other reason not to receive the NEW COVID-19 vaccine, there is a declination process now in place. Click here for more information:
- Early symptoms may be nonspecific, such as:
- Fever, body aches or chills, scratchy throat
- Mild stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea
- Loss of appetite, loss of smell
- Please click here form more information: CDC COVID-19 Symptoms
- People who have symptoms should stay home, wear a mask, and get tested, and contact their healthcare provider for advice.
- Students with UC SHIP should contact the Student Health Center at 949-824-5304 to schedule an appointment with a provider.
- Students without the UC SHIP insurance plan should contact their own Primary Care Provider for clinical issues and support.
For After-hours or Weekends, click the link below for information on Emergency Room, Urgent Care, Nurse Advice and Live Health Online (24hr Provider Telehealth visits). https://shc.uci.edu/emergency-medical-mental-health-and-dental-services-and-after-hours-care
- Notify your Primary Care Provider so that they are aware and may recommend specific care based on your personal medical history. Follow up for any worsening symptoms or concerns that may develop.
- Stay home if you have symptoms, until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication AND symptoms are improving.
- If you do not have symptoms, you should follow the recommendations below to reduce exposure to others.
- Avoid contact with others, especially people at higher-risk
- This includes the elderly
- Those who live in congregate care facilities
- Those who have immunocompromising conditions
- If you are a UCI student employee, check with your supervisor regarding the specific details about when to return to work.
- If you are a Health Science student (Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy) on rotation at the Medical Center, see Return to Clinical Rotation guidelines below.
There are currently no masking requirements on campus, however mask wearing may be an especially good precaution for anyone who is at higher risk for getting very sick from respiratory illnesses, has a history of breathing/lung issues, or has environmental exposures. Click here for the recommended CDPH masking guidelines.
Health Science students (Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy) on rotation at the Medical Center are required to follow the masking guidelines below.
Health Science students on clinical rotation are considered Healthcare personnel and should follow recommendations as set forth in AFL 21-08 (ca.gov).
- Notify your supervisor of your symptoms and do not go to the clinical site.
- Perform an at-home COVID-19 antigen test or follow up with a primary care provider to obtain a COVID-19 PCR test.
If you have a negative test:
- Follow up with your primary care provider on when you can return to rotation.
If you have a positive test:
- Report online using the Occupational Health COVID-19 intake form
- Occupational Health will advise employee/manager on return-to-work protocols.
- Those returning between days 5-9 after meeting routine criteria should wear a fit-tested N95 for source control through at least day 10 from symptoms onset or positive test
- Click here for RETURN TO CLINICAL ROTATION guidelines.
Weekly COVID-19 testing is not required for non-vaccinated students living, learning and/or working on campus including students who previously received an approved exemption, exception or deferral.
Students, faculty, and staff can pick up rapid antigen at-home test kits free of charge at the following campus locations:
- UCI Student Center Information Center
Building 113 on campus map
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Hours: Saturday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Science Library Front Desk
Building 520 on campus map
Hours: See UCI Libraries web page - Environmental Health and Safety
4600 Health Sciences Rd.
Building 41 on campus map
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
August 16, 2023: UC Vaccination Policy Update
The Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Interim Revisions was updated with interim revisions effective August 16, 2023. A systemwide review of this policy will take place in Fall 2023 with an expected issuance/effective date in early 2024.
Revisions for the Policy on Vaccination Programs – With Interim Revisions include the following:
•Policy will require covered individuals to either be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination or to opt out of COVID-19 vaccination. In the event applicable law or public health orders impose stricter vaccination requirements, such as for healthcare workers, the policy will continue to require compliance with those stricter requirements.
As policy will no longer require covered individuals to either be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination or receive a University-approved exception, model forms and other content regarding the exception process were removed.
•COVID-19 vaccination program implementation guidelines were removed. Relevant language regarding vaccination data moved to main policy. Policy noncompliance language added to main policy, including citations to relevant University policies.
Removed content regarding rescinded California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Health Care Worker Vaccine Requirement.
•Updated language consistent with current public health usage. Removed outdated deadlines and content.
This policy can be found here.
Effective immediately:
- The University will require students to either receive or affirmatively decline a COVID-19 vaccination each year.
- Students will no longer be required to submit documentation of a COVID-19 primary series or submit and receive an approved medical or religious exception, or disability deferral to be present on campus.
COVID vaccines and vaccine booster shots are available at UCI Student Health Center. Call 949-824-5304 to schedule an appointment (Available for Students Only). For inquiries regarding availability of COVID vaccines and booster shots and other relevant information, please contact UCI's Student Health Center at 949-824-5301 or by email at shc-immunization@uci.edu.