August 19, 2021

UC San Diego has begun implementing the UC vaccine mandate, which requires all students, faculty and staff be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus two weeks before the start of the fall term—by Sept. 6, 2021. 

The policy allows for exceptions and deferral for eligible individuals. Those who would like to submit a request should do so no later than Sept. 2, 2021—please submit as far in advance as possible to allow processing time.

Once you submit a request for an exception or deferral, you will be contacted by our third-party administrator Sedgwick with a form to complete. After you submit required documentation, you will receive either an approval or non-approval. Those who are approved must follow non-pharmaceutical interventions including masking and twice-weekly testing. Those who are not approved will have eight weeks to become vaccinated or move to disciplinary process.

Once you submit a request for an exception or deferral through the Service Now platform, you will be provided a form to complete. After you submit required documentation, you will receive either an approval or non-approval. Those who are approved must follow non-pharmaceutical interventions including masking and twice-weekly testing. Those who are not approved will have eight weeks to become vaccinated or move to disciplinary process.

While Monday, Sept. 6 is the deadline for compliance with the UC vaccine requirement, staff, faculty and students will not be barred from campus beginning on that date. Supervisors and other leaders will work with individuals if they need additional time to comply with the requirement by either getting vaccinated or receiving approval on an exception or deferral request. In addition, new employees will be given time to engage with the compliance process.

As a reminder, not all units are expected to return to campus by Sept. 1. This is a general guideline as each department makes plans for employee work modalities that best support fall operations. Return dates are predicated upon UC San Diego’s mission as an organization and your unit’s role in supporting that mission. 

Answer: Students should submit an "International Student Without Access to Vaccination" request no later than Sept. 2, 2021. For further information, please refer to the Exceptions and Deferral page. You will have eight weeks to get vaccinated at UC San Diego after you arrive or you will be out of compliance with the mandate. While awaiting full vaccination you will need to follow the non-pharmaceutical interventions (including masking and regular COVID-19 testing) for unvaccinated individuals. You will be able to attend classes. Learn more about receiving a vaccination at UC San Diego. 

Answer: A non-WHO approved vaccine will not meet the mandate requirement.  Depending on which vaccine you received, Student Health Services will provide guidance on next steps for clinical care and to meet the mandate. Please contact studentcovidmandate@health.ucsd.edu for more information.

Answer: This is a permanent policy. Infectious disease experts anticipate that annual or more frequent boosters will be necessary, and receipt of boosters will be required, consistent with product labeling, in the same way that the initial vaccination is required by this policy and subject to the same exceptions and deferrals. Learn more in the UC FAQs here.