The California State University and the University of California announced Thursday, upon FDA approval, the COVID-19 vaccination will be a requirement for all students, faculty, and staff who access the campus facilities
This may occur as early as the Fall 2021 school year if one or more of the COVID-19 vaccinations receive FDA-approval. Today, all 3 available COVID-19 vaccinations are only FDA-authorized for emergency use.
“Together, the CSU and UC enroll and employ more than one million students and employees across 33 major university campuses, so this is the most comprehensive and consequential university plan for COVID-19 vaccines in the country,” stated the CSU Chancellor Joseph I. Castro.
Before the new policy is implemented into the existing immunization requirements the college systems will engage with students, faculty, labor unions and student associations to enact the COVID-19 immunization. Exemptions may be sought due to medical or religious reasons. Both academic universities have announced this proposed policy prior to the fall year so that students, faculty, and staff may have enough time to get the vaccine before the term begins. They also encourage all university communities to receive a COVID-19 vaccine once they are eligible. At this time, anyone 16 years of age and older are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D. stated, “Receiving a vaccine for the virus that causes COVID-19 is a key step people can take to protect themselves, their friends and family, and our campus communities while helping bring the pandemic to an end.”
In the state of California, more than 26 million vaccines have been administered.
At this time, there is no federal or state mandate for residents in the United States to get a COVID-19 vaccination. In California proof of vaccinations or a negative COVID-19 negative test have been required for entry for live indoor events or performances which may be held in the red, orange, or yellow tiers. In other countries, proof of vaccination, known as COVID-19 vaccine passports, may be used to prevent restriction of travel.
