May 25, 2021

UC San Diego is making plans for a safe and gradual return to full campus operations this fall, which include reimagining how we work going forward. In this Q&A, hear from Associate Controller and Chief Procurement Officer Ted Johnson about managing a hybrid workforce, how his team supports a safe campus environment and prioritizing communications and community for all staff.

As we continue planning for our safe and gradual return to full campus operations this fall, we are taking into thoughtful consideration the lessons we have learned over the past year about workplace flexibility. We have developed new guidelines and resources to help supervisors and employees find success in establishing and implementing flexible work arrangements. More information will be added as it becomes available. 

Free COVID-19 vaccines are available to all UC San Diego students, faculty, staff and members of the public age 12 and up at RIMAC—no appointment necessary. Due to the RIMAC Vaccination station closure on June 1, if you do come to RIMAC for your first dose, you can get your second dose by scheduling an appointment at Hillcrest or the vaccine clinic in Price Center, which will open soon. 

UC San Diego was honored by the American Council of Education for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in innovative and creative ways that resulted in dramatic changes over a short period—which could not have been achieved without the vision and commitment of our experts, students, faculty and staff. Thank you for your resilience and adaptability as we navigated these challenging times together. 

Answer: Per an article posted on April 23, 2021 by the Henry Ford Health System, the rumor of a connection between infertility and the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines came about when a German epidemiologist in December 2020 questioned whether the vaccines might make women's bodies reject a protein that's connected to the creation of a gestational sac, called syncytin-1. This protein shares a similarity with the genetic code of the spike protein in COVID-19. The concern is that if the vaccines caused a person’s body to make antibodies to protect them from COVID-19, he questioned whether it might also cause antibodies to be created that might reject the formation of a placenta. 

There is neither epidemiological nor medical evidence that this myth has any basis in fact. There is evidence that women who become infected with SARS CoV-2 while pregnant are more likely to have more severe complications than age-matched women who are not pregnant, so it is recommended to get vaccinated if a person is contemplating becoming pregnant. 

Observational studies have also shown no concerns about the use of mRNA vaccines during pregnancy. If you or someone you know is pregnant and have not been vaccinated, it is recommended to talk with an obstetrician about vaccine safety in pregnancy. For more information about preliminary findings of mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons see The New England Journal of Medicine abstract from April 21, 2021.

Answer: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. Like adults, children may have some side effects after COVID-19 vaccination. These side effects may affect their ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Children 12 years and older are now eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines have been used under the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history, including studies in children 12 years and older. Your child cannot get COVID-19 from any COVID-19 vaccine.