Reminder of Feb. 7 COVID booster deadline for faculty and staff
COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force
To: Faculty and Staff
Dear Colleagues:
As communicated in campus-wide Bruin Posts on Dec. 21 and Jan. 20, the University of California requires students, faculty and staff to provide proof that they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines — meaning they are fully vaccinated and have received a COVID-19 booster shot, if eligible — as part of UC’s vaccination policy (PDF).
Booster vaccines are recommended by the CDC as they provide an increased immune response and greater protection against getting infected with COVID-19, while also reducing chances of severe disease. Medical, disability or religious exceptions to this booster vaccine can be requested — for those who already are booster-eligible — through the UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination Verification System. Please refer to the frequently asked questions at the bottom of this message for more information on eligibility and the exception process.
Important Note: In accordance with UC policy, notices of noncompliance will be issued to booster-eligible employees who have not verified their receipt of a booster by the Feb. 7 deadline. For those who do not meet this deadline, further action, including discipline, will be taken.
Thank you to the UCLA faculty and staff who have already verified receipt of their COVID-19 vaccination booster, and thank you all for your continued commitment to preserving the health of our community by receiving this added layer of protection.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Beck
Administrative Vice Chancellor
Co-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force
Megan McEvoy
Professor, Institute for Society and Genetics,
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics
Co-chair, COVID-19 Response and Recovery Task Force
COVID-19 booster vaccine FAQ
How do I know if I am eligible for the COVID-19 booster vaccine?
There are specific timelines for eligibility which are dependent on the type of vaccine administered. Please see the UCLA COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Resource page.
Who can file for an exception to the COVID-19 booster vaccine?
Individuals who received the primary COVID-19 vaccine series but now wish to apply for a medical, disability or religious exception to the booster due to changed circumstances, including those how may have been denied an exception for the primary COVID-19 vaccine series, will have the option to apply for an exception through UCLA’s COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination Verification System.
I received an approved exception to the COVID-19 vaccine, do I still need to request an exception to the booster?
No. If you have an approved exception it applies to the booster as well. If you had an approved deferral, it will still expire on the date specified in the approval.
How do I request an exception in the UCLA COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination Verification System if I don’t see the option available to do so?
At this time, only individuals who are currently eligible for the booster vaccine will see this option available in the system. At the time an individual becomes booster-eligible, the option to file for an exception will be available.
I received my COVID-19 booster vaccine. What action do I need to take?
For those who have previously provided consent through UCLA’s COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Vaccination Verification System for UCLA to access their COVID-19 vaccination information from the state vaccination database (CAIR) or UCLA Health, their updated vaccine status will automatically update if a record of the booster is located and no further action will be required. However, if no record of a booster is found, the individual will be notified while completing the survey and they will need to upload their vaccine booster proof following the instructions provided in the survey tool.
I am not eligible for the COVID-19 booster yet. What is my deadline to receive the booster and provide proof?
Those who are not yet eligible for the booster by the Feb. 7 deadline will need to provide proof of receiving their booster within 30 days of becoming booster-eligible.
