The UC Office of the President has established a systemwide vaccine policy that requires all employees and students to be immunized against SARS-CoV-2 or affirmatively declining to receive the vaccine.
Current Status of Vaccinations
On May 16, 2023, the University of California Office of the President announced revisions to the University of California COVID-19 vaccine policy, to allow students, faculty, and staff using campus facilities the option of affirmatively declining required COVID-19 vaccines without the need for approval of exceptions or exemptions. The University will still require students and employees to be up-to-date with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations, including current bivalent vaccine recommendations, but now there will be an option through the UCSB MyHealth Portal, under the “Clearances” section, to affirmatively decline the vaccinations.
Entering students and new employees are required to be compliant with COVID-19 vaccinations before arrival, which includes the option of affirmatively declining.
COVID-19 vaccine appointments continue to be available locally through the California Department of Public Health portal MyTurn. Registration by telephone also is available in multiple languages at the CA COVID-19 Hotline (1-833-422-4255).
Anyone needing assistance in making an appointment can call 2-1-1 and select option 4 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily).
Flu Vaccination
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing, the potential confluence of infections from COVID-19 and influenza poses a threat to the health and safety of the UC community and the public at large. Therefore, the University of California - Policy on Vaccination Programs requires that all faculty, students, and staff receive or affirmatively decline an annual influenza vaccination. Employees may satisfy this requirement by self-attestation through the MyHealth Portal, under the Clearances tab.