February 23, 2021

Within the next month, all COVID-19 test kit vending machines on campus will require students and campus employees to swipe their campus ID card to retrieve a test kit. While test kits are still free, a virtual debit of $.01 will happen automatically on your campus card account, followed by an immediate credit return that will balance out to zero each day; there will be no actual charge.

This week, three new COVID-19 test kit vending machines will become available on campus, located at the School of Medicine (BRFII Lobby), Revelle College (Argo Parcel Center) and Campus Services Complex (Electric Shop). Please note that these new vending machines are equipped with the new card readers that require users to swipe or tap their campus ID card.

The majority of campus ID cards are compatible with the vending machines (click here to see which cards are accepted). For those who need a new or replacement ID card, visit the Student Campus Card website or the Campus Employee Campus Card website.

Answer: Status as having been vaccinated does not directly correlate with or confer permission to work on campus at this time. Campus occupancy levels are strictly as dictated by the county public health department. When the county eventually progresses to a lower-risk tier, based on many factors, then the county will allow us to raise the percentage occupancy of our campus buildings. This information will be conveyed to employees at the appropriate time. For now, the county is still in the purple tier, so we’re still limited to 25% occupancy and must use the Research Ramp-up and Return-to-Campus mechanisms.

Answer: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible—although rare—that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. 

If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure what treatments you received or if you have more questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Question: Do I need to conduct the daily COVID-19 symptom screening after I am vaccinated?

Answer: All UC San Diego staff, faculty and student employees who are reporting to campus or any other physical UC San Diego location for work must continue to conduct a daily symptom and exposure screening for COVID-19 and report any symptoms after vaccination. Learn more on the Return to Learn Testing and Screening webpage.